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Anahi Viladrich, PhD, School of Health Sciences, Urban Public Health Program, Hunter College of the City University of New York, 425 E 25th street, W 10021, New York, NY 10010, (212) 481-5154, aviladri@hunter.cuny.edu

Background

In spite of the vast and rich literature on Latinos' indigenous mental health categories, little is known about how folk healers conceptualize, diagnose and treat mental health ailments, aspects that will be developed in this paper.

Methods

In-depth interviewees were conducted with 59 Latino folk healers in NYC, identified via botánicas (religious-healing stores) and flyers.

Results

Healers conceptualize mental health issues as a combined set of conditions that include depression, distress and anxiety—the last two typically described as nervios (nerves). The etiology of mental disorders is rooted in three sources: a) supra-natural, caused by witchcraft, envy and negative energies; b) natural, determined by normal stressors (e.g., “las preocupaciones”, worries); and c) major life changes (e.g., divorces, diagnosis of serious diseases). Most healers rely on three therapeutic methods, either alone or combined: a) baths with “sweet” and “bitter” herbs to remove bad energies and attract good spirits; b) infusions with stress-reduction herbs (e.g., valerian); and c) life management strategies aimed at providing practical solutions to immigrants' concerns (e.g., feelings of abandonment, immigration issues, language barriers).

Conclusions

Folk healers perform as consejeros (counselors) combining natural and supernatural explanatory models of disease, on the basis of providing step-wise responses to their clients' plights. This presentation provides a contribution to the literature on Latinos' etiology and treatment of frequent mental disorders, findings that may be relevant for the design of health police and culturally relevant models of treatment.

Learning Objectives:

• Examine popular concepts of mental health and illness among Latinos in NYC
• Analyze folk healing methods of diagnosis and treatment among Latino healers in NYC
• Propose cultural competent guidelines aimed at reaching the population of Latino healers treating individual suffering from mental illness

Keywords: Minority Health, Mental Health

Related Web page: www.hunter.cuny.edu/schoolhp/uph/immigration

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered