Day treatment programs for the Spanish speaking: a response to underutilization

Int J Soc Psychiatry. 1983 Autumn;29(3):215-9. doi: 10.1177/002076408302900307.

Abstract

This article describes how a hospital-based Community Mental Health Centre in California, United States, addressed the problem of underutilization by its Spanish-speaking population. The authors present a clinical program model which can be duplicated without hiring large numbers of bilingual professionals. The program offers a comprehensive range of psychiatric treatment services to a particular minority population, and can be readily adapted to deliver mental health care to any national minority or ethnic subpopulation. All of the services for the Spanish-speaking seek to promote community integration, and are designed to provide therapeutic experiences in a foreign environment while maintaining cultural ties.

MeSH terms

  • California
  • Community Mental Health Centers / statistics & numerical data
  • Day Care, Medical / statistics & numerical data*
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders / therapy*