Family Communication and Mental Health

By Dr. Eduardo López Navarro 

Did you know that a conversation can be the first step towards getting help for mental health problems?

Experts recognize that it is not always easy for us Latinos to share emotions and feelings with family members or even health care professionals.

But poor communication within the family can lead to serious problems. The ability to express ourselves within the family is essential in being able to identify symptoms, report problems, receive help and solve those problems.

Furthermore, it is very true that most of us Hispanics lack a vocabulary of feelings.

Saying things like "I'm sad," "You hurt my feelings," "I feel depressed," "I'm not well," are not easy sentences to share with one’s family and are not always encouraged.

Often, sharing one's mood with others makes the speaker feel uncomfortable and the listener feel incompetent.

However, expression through anger and rage is encouraged and promoted. Many times, being angry is viewed as a representation of strength.

This is completely false. Anger is a secondary feeling, which speaks to unhealed emotional wounds. Speaking in anger is not a way of communicating, but instead a way of avoiding good communication.

If we do not learn to develop a vocabulary of feelings, we will not be able to understand what we are feeling, and therefore, we will not be able to express how we feel and ask for help.

My recommendations:

• Focus on promoting communication based on emotions and feelings.

• Teach your family members to express how they feel, beginning with the word "I."

• Immediately follow “I” with an adjective that describes how you feel.

• If we can express what we feel, we can foster better communication.

Once this vocabulary of feelings is created, we will be able to express what we feel, be it depression, anxiety, anger, frustration, suicidal thoughts, or any other situation. And we will be able to count on the support of each family member, and finding help from mental health professionals will be an easier task.

Clear communication is key to correcting mental health problems. Whatever it is, never be afraid to talk about your feelings with your family. Never be afraid to express your emotions. Never stop yourself from asking for help.