Washington, D.C. — The first day of Hispanic Heritage Month this year marks one year since the American Psychiatric Association (APA) launched LaSaludMental.org, the organization’s first website dedicated to providing evidence-based information and culturally competent resources in Spanish on mental health and addiction.

The first anniversary of LaSaludMental.org demonstrates an increased commitment on behalf of the association to ensure that evidence-based, culturally relevant medical information on mental health and substance use disorders is available to Hispanics and Spanish speakers in the U.S., who represent nearly 64 and 54 million people, respectively. A lack of resources in Spanish has been identified as one of several barriers to healthcare access for the Hispanic population in the U.S., as well as immigration status and socioeconomic status.

“Led by our bicultural and bilingual psychiatrist members and staff, we are pleased to provide our Hispanic and Spanish-speaking patients and families with the information they need to understand and take care of their mental health,” said APA President Petros Levounis, M.D., M.A. “As someone whose second language is English, I know firsthand how important these efforts are to increase accessibility for the communities we serve.”

In addition to APA’s five most-searched pages on mental illnesses (depression, domestic violence, stigma, substance use disorders, and suicide), LaSaludMental.org now features four additional pages: E-Cigarettes and Vaping, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). The site also includes educational content in the form of explanatory and animated videos, quizzes based on patient scenarios, expert Q&As, one-page brochures, and infographics. Two additional pages on autism spectrum disorder and perinatal depression will be live before the end of 2023.

The APA recognizes and appreciates that the site and its content would not be possible without the dedication and commitment of its Spanish Language Working Group, which consists of Hispanic/Latino psychiatrists who are members of the APA and is led by Hector Colon-Rivera, M.D., and Amalia Londoño Tobón, M.D.

American Psychiatric Association

The American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844, is the oldest medical association in the country. The APA is also the largest psychiatric association in the world with more than 38,000 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and research of mental illnesses. APA’s vision is to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. For more information, please visit www.psychiatry.org.