Certificate, Mental Health & Education of Latin American People in the U.S.

Latin American people in the United States are diverse and include individuals of all races who identify as Hispanic, Latina/Latino, Latinx, Latine, Latin, Chicano, immigrants from Latin American countries (e.g.: Mexico, Guatemala, Peru) and folks of Latin American descent or heritage who were born in the U.S., including Puerto Rico. The mental health and overall well being of Latin American people in the U.S. are impacted by many social determinants and structural inequalities (e.g.: discriminatory policies, lack of access to health and psychological services, income inequality, educational inequity). Latin American people in the U.S. may benefit from mental health service providers, health professionals and educators who are responsive to their structural needs and cultural strengths.

This graduate certificate program is designed for current and future professionals who want to enhance their skills to serve Latin American people in the U.S. The certificate is grounded in cultural humility, cultural competence and evidence-based practices that are responsive to social and structural determinants of mental health. Courses in this certificate aim to promote knowledge, awareness and skills about community-based structural intervention, identity and culture, the psychology of immigration, effective clinical interventions and issues in multilingual learner education.

This 12-credit graduate certificate is interdisciplinary and open to any graduate student at Lehigh and to advanced undergraduate students (juniors and seniors). The program is also open to current mental health professionals, health professionals and educators who hold an undergraduate degree. The program is offered online and courses can be completed during summer and winter sessions.