Abstract
Services for people with disabilities in Mexico’s urban facilities or anywhere in the country are classified as dismal at best and torturous at worst. Unfortunately, limited information is available on services for those with disabilities and for treatment of mental health disorders in rural areas of Mexico. Generally, in Mexico only a minority of adults with mental health disorders receives some form of treatment, with younger adults more likely to receive care than older adults. Evidence indicates that people with mental health disorders are inadequately served. This chapter explores cultural beliefs about wellness, the status of people with disabilities and mental health disorders, and barriers to treatment in Mexico. The chapter concludes with a focus on improving services.
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Learning Exercises
Learning Exercises
Self-Check Questions
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1.
What did Armendariz and Saladin (2012) emphasize as important to understanding the difference in the route to passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Ley General para la Inclusion de las Personas con Discapacidad?
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2.
What is the importance of family participation in the health care of members in Mexican culture?
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3.
What are the stigmatizing terms and meanings used to describe mental illness in Mexico?
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What are the cultural beliefs about the cause of illness in Mexican culture?
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5.
What is the status of intervention services for people with mental illness in Mexico?
Experiential Activities
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1.
Examine the ADA and the Ley General para la Inclusion de las Personas con Discapacidad and compare and contrast them. Discuss the strengths of each law and identify areas you consider to be in need of improvement.
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2.
Participate in a Study Abroad Program in Mexico in rehabilitation counseling, counselor education, counseling psychology, or social work. Consider one of the following activities: (a) schedule to visit in a mental health institution or prison/jail and interview staff about their needs to more effectively provide services to the population with whom they work, (b) become a trainer of mental health service providers, or (c) assist in the development of an advocacy plan.
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3.
Work with a local group of Mexicans/Mexican Americans/Latinos to educate about mental health disorders and to address culture-bound syndrome.
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Harley, D.A. (2018). People with Disabilities and Mental Health Disorders in Mexico: Rights and Practices. In: Harley, D., Ysasi, N., Bishop, M., Fleming, A. (eds) Disability and Vocational Rehabilitation in Rural Settings. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64786-9_20
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