Mental Health Needs of Mexican American Agricultural Workers
Author: Vega, William A.
Date Published: 1985
Journal article that profiles the mental health needs of Mexican-American farmworkers and speculates as to what kind of mental health services were required to meet those needs. This study used three measurement procedures to produce a comprehensive profile of the mental health needs of Mexican-American farmworkers and to determine what kinds of mental health services were required to meet those needs. These measurement procedures were a field survey, a key informant survey and a nominal group process. The result of the field survey indicated that rural Mexican Americans are not being served by mental health providers, despite their substantial use of rural primary health clinics and private physicians. The key informant survey included mental health providers, health providers, and community agency personnel. According to these informants, the mental health sector is unable to provide services for the farmworkers; and the ability of other providers to reach them depends on a number of factors, including the nature of the services offered and the socioeconomic characteristics of the farmworker themselves. Key informants identified in the environmental conditions implicated in the farmworkers' psychosocial problems and recommended types of services, sites, and key personnel. Key informants concurred that general health settings and multi-service agencies were the most appropriate for reaching Mexican Americans, and that mental health services must include bilingual and bicultural staff members. Key informants disagreed, however, about the relative value of certain kinds of mental-health services. The nominal group process identified 32 design criteria that could be used to improve mental health services for farmworkers. We conclude with recommendations, including a discussion on financing mental health services, the appropriateness of incorporating such services within rural primary health clinics, and using a number of allied professionals and paraprofessionals as mental health adjuncts in an integrated treated environment.
Date Published: 1985
Journal article that profiles the mental health needs of Mexican-American farmworkers and speculates as to what kind of mental health services were required to meet those needs. This study used three measurement procedures to produce a comprehensive profile of the mental health needs of Mexican-American farmworkers and to determine what kinds of mental health services were required to meet those needs. These measurement procedures were a field survey, a key informant survey and a nominal group process. The result of the field survey indicated that rural Mexican Americans are not being served by mental health providers, despite their substantial use of rural primary health clinics and private physicians. The key informant survey included mental health providers, health providers, and community agency personnel. According to these informants, the mental health sector is unable to provide services for the farmworkers; and the ability of other providers to reach them depends on a number of factors, including the nature of the services offered and the socioeconomic characteristics of the farmworker themselves. Key informants identified in the environmental conditions implicated in the farmworkers' psychosocial problems and recommended types of services, sites, and key personnel. Key informants concurred that general health settings and multi-service agencies were the most appropriate for reaching Mexican Americans, and that mental health services must include bilingual and bicultural staff members. Key informants disagreed, however, about the relative value of certain kinds of mental-health services. The nominal group process identified 32 design criteria that could be used to improve mental health services for farmworkers. We conclude with recommendations, including a discussion on financing mental health services, the appropriateness of incorporating such services within rural primary health clinics, and using a number of allied professionals and paraprofessionals as mental health adjuncts in an integrated treated environment.
