Instances of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as experiencing violence, and abuse are connected to mental health illness in adulthood (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). The Hispanic community is a heterogenous and growing population in the United States (U.S.). This group is estimated to be 30% of the U.S. population by 2060 (Colby & Ortman, 2015). Hispanics face social, legal, and economic adversities (Vega et al., 2009) which affect their overall health and well-being (Caplan, 2007). Hispanic children report having an ACE score of one (Sacks & Murphey, 2018), and 8% of Hispanic adults report having depressive episodes (Substance Abuse Mental Health Services and Administration [SAMHSA], 2018). Hispanic adults in Alachua County, Florida report higher than the state average of poor mental health days (County Health Rankings, 2022).
Through education, this program aims to increase knowledge on ACEs, depressive episodes, and coping strategies that can help lessen ACEs in Hispanic children and support Hispanic adults’ mental health. Vamos Hablar is a trauma-informed bilingual mental health program provided in English and Spanish. This program will provide therapy sessions, educational seminars, and self-care classes aimed to help Hispanic adults recognize ACEs and become more knowledgeable on mental health and coping strategies as they build resilience in a safe community. This is conducted through a multidisciplinary team of clinical and administrative staff who are trauma-informed and culturally competent trained. This program is essential as it helps break the stigma around mental health. Programs with this approach may help improve mental health care and be adopted by other ethnicities.
Trauma-Informed Principles
All 6 principles from SAMHSA’s (2014) guide will direct Vamos Hablar. These principles of safety, trustworthiness, transparency, peer support, collaboration and mutuality, empowerment voice and choice, and cultural issues will lead to a road of resilience for Hispanic adults impacted by trauma and who have poor mental health. This program will have welcoming and inviting centers with staff that are engaging and actively listening. Staff will be trained on trauma-informed approaches, policies, and up-to-date knowledge on mental health resources and allow participants to ask questions or clarification. Representatives from the program will be individuals from the target population, known as “Cerebros” or brain in English. They will help lead all activities to ensure a bilingual speaker is with the participant and helps the participant feel seen and heard. This multidisciplinary staff will collaborate to help participants achieve healing, create a safe space, and create bonds with others who have faced similar trauma. Furthermore, all staff will have received training in trauma-informed approaches and cultural competency for all participants at an individual and community level.
Social Ecological Model
This program aims to utilize a multilevel approach of the CDC socioecological model (SEM) framework (2022). Program goals and activities will be conducted the individual, relationship, community, and societal level to address ACEs, trauma, and an increase in knowledge. At the individual level, program staff and “Cerebros” aim to help participants identify and learn about ACEs and mental health, such as depressive episodes. Our participants will have an increase in knowledge through participation of sessions and classes. At the relationship level, program staff will lead English and Spanish group sessions alongside the “Cerebros” with hopes of strengthening partnerships and creating a safe, communal space. At the community level, partnerships with existing and established entities will utilize space and supplies to increase knowledge and improve mental health among participants. At the societal level, “Cerebros” will promote the program to potential stakeholders to improve and support mental health of Hispanic participants.
Public Health Framework
Vamos Hablar will utilize trauma-preventive and trauma-informed policies to increase knowledge via primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention (Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia, 2016). At the primary level, education on ACEs, mental health and depressive episodes will help participants become more knowledgeable on these topics and such become aware of prevention of ACEs and healing. At the secondary level, screenings will be assessed to identify symptoms of depression and ACEs. Participants will have a better awareness of their scores and what it means to them. Lastly, the tertiary level will focus on promoting resilience, healing, and safety of the participants as we do not want them to feel forgotten or abandoned. These levels all come together with the goal of increasing knowledge and increasing the ability to ask for help.
References
Caplan, S. (2007). Latinos, Acculturation and Acculturative Stress: A Dimensional Concept Analysis. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 8(2), 93-106. DOI: 10.1177/1527154407301751
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Preventing adverse childhood experiences. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/violencepr...n/aces/fastfact.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). The Social-Ecological Model: A Framework for Prevention. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/violencepr...ecologicalmodel.html
Colby, S.L., & Ortman, J.M. (2015). Projections of the Size and Composition of the U.S. Population: 2014-2060. US Census Bureau. P25-1143. https://www.census.gov/content...15/demo/p25-1143.pdf
County Health Rankings. (2022). Frequent Mental Distress in Alachua, Florida. Retrieved from https://www.countyhealthrankin...022&county=12001
Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia, Thomas Scattergood Behavioral Health Foundation, and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (2016). Trauma Informed Philanthropy: A Funder’s Resource Guide for Supporting Trauma-Informed Practice in the Delaware Valley.
Sacks, V., Murphey, D. (2018). The prevalence of adverse childhood experiences, nationally, by state, and by race and ethnicity. Child Trends. https://www.childtrends.org/pu...state-race-ethnicity
SAMHSA. (2018). 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Hispanics, Latino, or Spanish Origin or Descent. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/si...c_2020_01_14_508.pdf
SAMHSA's Trauma and Justice Strategic Initiative. (2014). SAMHSA’s concept of trauma and guidance for a trauma-informed approach. SAMHSA. https://store.samhsa.gov/sites.../priv/sma14-4884.pdf
Vega, W. A., Rodriguez, M. A., & Gruskin, E. (2009). Health disparities in the Latino population. Epidemiologic Reviews, 31, 99–112. https://doi.org/10.1093/epirev/mxp008
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