Date of Award

January 2025

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Yale University School of Nursing

First Advisor

Christine Rodriguez

Abstract

Background: Spanish-speaking Latino populations in the U.S. experience significant disparities in mental health access driven by language barriers, low mental health literacy, and cultural stigma. These factors contribute to the underutilization of services, early treatment dropout, and poor outcomes.

Objective: This quality improvement project aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate a culturally and linguistically tailored mental health education intervention designed to increase mental health literacy and reduce stigma among Spanish-speaking Latino adults in a federally qualified health center.

Methods: A total of four group sessions were conducted over an eight-week period. The sessions were delivered in Spanish and included culturally appropriate materials, including National Institute of Mental Health brochures and a PowerPoint presentation. Pre- and post intervention assessments measured changes in mental health knowledge and stigma using a literacy questionnaire and the adapted Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMI).

Results: Participants (N=18) showed a statistically significant increase in mental health literacy, with mean scores increasing from 5.28 to 6.67 (p<.001). Mental health stigma decreased significantly, with mean scores dropping from 29.17 to 26.44 (p=.003).

Discussion and Conclusion: This culturally adapted educational intervention effectively improved mental health literacy and decreased stigma in this Spanish-speaking Latino population. These findings support the potential impact of implementing similar interventions in other community health settings to address barriers and disparities in mental health care access for the Latino population.

Comments

This is an Open Access Thesis.

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