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Social Justice in the U.S.-Mexico Border Region pp 145–159Cite as

Mental Health Disparities and Social Justice in the US-Mexico Border Region

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Abstract

Mental health services in the border region lag behind the nation. The situation is aggravated by a difference in the type of treatment individuals from different ethnic groups receive. Although the border is a minority majority region, minorities have less access to mental health services. This chapter discusses mental health disparities prevalent on the US-Mexico border which include access to mental health services, lack of mental health providers, and underutilization rates. Data are presented from major studies on the prevalence of mental health disorders and utilization of mental health services by Hispanics, more specifically Mexican Americans. A discussion is provided about the role of culture in mental health service utilization. The chapter concludes with recommendations for addressing mental health disparities on the US-Mexico border, considering the political context of the region.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social Work, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA

    Griselda Villalobos

  2. Department of Family and Community Medicine, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University, El Paso, TX, USA

    Arthur A. Islas

Authors
  1. Griselda Villalobos
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  2. Arthur A. Islas
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Correspondence to Griselda Villalobos .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. College of Health Sciences, University of Texas, W. University Ave 500, El Paso, 79968, Texas, USA

    Mark Lusk

  2. , Department of Political Science, University of Texas, W. University Ave 500, El Paso, 79968, Texas, USA

    Kathleen Staudt

  3. Department of Social Work, University of Texas, W. University Ave. 500, El Paso, 79968, Texas, USA

    Eva Moya

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Villalobos, G., Islas, A.A. (2012). Mental Health Disparities and Social Justice in the US-Mexico Border Region. In: Lusk, M., Staudt, K., Moya, E. (eds) Social Justice in the U.S.-Mexico Border Region. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4150-8_8

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