Professional Behaviors and Attitudes: Factors Influencing Farmworkers Access to Mental Health Care
Samuel R Terrazas

Abstract
The available research on the mental health of farmworkers suggests that they are more likely to suffer from mental illness in the form of depression and anxiety when compared to the general U.S. population. Farmworkers’ mental health needs are not being met because of their marginalization; however, little is known about the role human service, health care and education professionals have on the mental health care of farmworkers. The aim of this exploratory cross-sectional study is to examine the associations between demographic characteristics, attitudes, beliefs, and mental health stigma to determine whether these variables influence professional behaviors namely their providing farmworkers with information or referrals to mental health care. Findings show that human service, health care and teachers who attach comparably higher levels of stigma to mental illness were more likely to provide farmworkers with information about and referrals to mental health care.

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