Patterns of mental health care among Mexican Americans

1. Extending cultural care beyond language enhances the use of mental health services and fosters a mutually agreed-on plan of care. 2. Understanding cultural characteristics facilitates an understanding of behavior, family and social dynamics, and adaptation patterns to stress that can empower clients to work toward their goals and validate the impact of emotions and behaviors on others. 3. Culturally appropriate mental health care reflects a synthesis among communication, space, social organization, time, environmental control, and biological variables.