Psychedelic-assisted therapies show promise for depression and PTSD, but their application has largely excluded marginalized groups such as Latinx immigrants, who face mental health challenges at rates similar to white populations yet have lower treatment engagement due to cultural stigma, language barriers, and limited access to culturally competent care. This paper argues for group-based, culturally adapted models of psychedelic-assisted therapy tailored to Latinx immigrants, emphasizing community healing, collective therapeutic processes, and the incorporation of cultural traditions. Group psychedelic therapy may enhance social connections, reduce isolation, and increase accessibility while addressing unique immigrant stressors. Rigorous research and culturally competent care models are needed to reduce mental health disparities.
A community-derived mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) was associated with reduced perceived stress in Latinx parents and increased perceived family social support in their children. In a pilot study of 27 Latinx parents and 32 children aged 10–16 in Eastside Los Angeles, parents in the MBI group showed greater reductions in perceived stress scale scores compared to a control group, while children reported greater increases in perceived social support from family. The findings suggest that such MBIs may benefit stress and social support in Latinx families.
A pilot bilingual mindfulness-based meditation intervention for Latino adolescents and their parents in Los Angeles was found feasible and well-received. Qualitative interviews revealed that while some families faced attendance challenges due to health issues or work conflicts, and adolescents sometimes struggled with peer distractions, overall parents and children reported the program as convenient and enjoyable, and perceived benefits from the curriculum. The study supports the feasibility of such joint parent-child programs among Latino family dyads.