Anxiety and depression are treatable. Why are so many Latinos still going without care?

For Mental Health Awareness Month, the message is often simple: recognize the signs of anxiety and depression and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

But for many Latinos, recognizing a problem may be only the beginning.

Anxiety disorders are the world’s most common mental disorders, affecting an estimated 359 million people in 2021. Depression is also among the most common mental disorders globally. Both are treatable, yet access to treatment remains a major problem. The World Health Organization estimates that only about one in four people who need treatment for an anxiety disorder receive it.

California’s data shows why the issue deserves a closer look.

The need is significant

According to the California Department of Public Health, 18.7% of Latino Californians experienced serious psychological distress in the previous year, compared with 16.7% of Californians overall.

But the same state data points to another problem: among adults experiencing serious psychological distress, 29.4% of Latino Californians reported having no usual source of health care, while 11.6% reported having no health insurance.

That means awareness alone cannot solve the problem.

A person can recognize that persistent worry, hopelessness, loss of interest, sleep problems or other symptoms are interfering with everyday life and still struggle to find affordable, appropriate care.

Knowing the difference is key

Everyone experiences stress, sadness or worry. Those emotions are part of ordinary life.

Anxiety or depression becomes more concerning when symptoms are persistent, difficult to control or severe enough to interfere with work, school, relationships, sleep or other parts of daily life.

Anxiety disorders can involve excessive fear or worry, restlessness, difficulty concentrating and physical symptoms such as muscle tension or gastrointestinal distress. Depression can involve persistent sadness or emptiness, loss of interest, low energy, changes in sleep or appetite and feelings of hopelessness.

A health professional, not a checklist online, should determine whether someone has a mental health disorder.

That distinction is important because people sometimes dismiss serious symptoms as simply being stressed, overwhelmed or having a difficult period.

The treatment gap has a Latino dimension

A national study published in 2026 using 2023 National Health Interview Survey data found that 12.9% of Hispanic and Latino adults in its sample reported an anxiety diagnosis and 13.9% reported a depression diagnosis. Yet fewer than 10% received counseling during the previous year.

The study also found that insurance coverage, immigration status, language and socioeconomic resources were associated with whether people used mental health services.

These barriers do not mean Latino communities are less willing or able to benefit from treatment. They mean that reaching treatment can involve obstacles that go beyond recognizing symptoms.

For some families, those obstacles can include cost, finding a provider who speaks Spanish, limited availability, uncertainty about where to begin or concerns about stigma and trust.

Treatment is available

There is no single treatment that works for everyone.

Evidence-based psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, can help people identify harmful patterns of thinking and behavior and develop healthier ways of coping. Medication may also be appropriate for some people, depending on their condition and in consultation with a qualified health professional.

The important point is that anxiety and depression are not character flaws or something a person simply has to endure. Effective treatments exist.

And getting help does not necessarily begin with finding a psychiatrist.

If you have Medi-Cal, there are places to start

California’s Department of Health Care Services says Medi-Cal members can contact their health plan, primary-care provider or county mental health plan about mental health services.

The state also says members do not need a diagnosis to seek care through their Medi-Cal system, and health and county mental health plans must help members find a provider.

California maintains county mental health plans throughout the state, including Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and other counties, with contact information available through DHCS.

For people who prefer Spanish, DHCS also provides a Spanish-language guide explaining Medi-Cal behavioral health services and how to access them.

Awareness should lead to action

Mental Health Awareness Month can help reduce the stigma surrounding anxiety and depression. But awareness has a practical purpose: helping people recognize when they may need professional support and making it easier to take the next step.

If persistent anxiety, sadness, hopelessness or other symptoms are interfering with your daily life, consider talking with a health care provider or mental health professional.

You do not have to wait until a problem becomes a crisis to ask for help.

And if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 for immediate crisis support.

The first step may be recognizing that something is wrong. The next is knowing where to turn.