Washington, D.C. — Today the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the National Latino Behavioral Health Association (NLBHA) are proud to announce a new collaboration aimed at advancing mental health equity and improving behavioral health outcomes for Latino communities across the United States.

This strategic collaboration will focus on increasing access to culturally responsive mental health services and evidence-based information, expanding the pipeline of Latino mental health professionals, and addressing systemic barriers that contribute to mental health disparities in Latino populations.

“NLBHA and APA are raising the bar of strong advocacy and collaboration by demonstrating that our service to the Latino communities and nation is dedicated to their wellbeing and the well-being of all people. Our missions reflect our values to work together in order to improve and strengthen the lives of the Latino communities to reflect our lifelong commitment of service," said Fredrick Sandoval, MPA, NLBHA Executive Director.

Through this partnership, APA and NLBHA will work together on a range of initiatives, including:

• Developing joint educational resources to raise awareness about mental health in Latino communities, such as APA’s Spanish language resource website, LaSaludMental.org.
• Promoting policies that support culturally and linguistically appropriate services.
• Conducting research and data analysis on Latino behavioral health needs and outcomes.
• Supporting workforce development and training programs for mental and behavioral health professionals working with Latino patients.

“This collaboration aligns with APA’s deep commitment to Latino mental health,” said APA President Theresa Miskimen Rivera, M.D. “Our Latino communities face unique challenges in accessing mental health care, and we believe this collaboration can help close that gap and foster lasting change.”

Latinos are the largest ethnic minority group in the U.S., yet they are significantly underrepresented in the behavioral health workforce and are less likely to receive mental health treatment compared to non-Latino whites. By leveraging the strengths and resources of both organizations, this partnership aims to promote equity, advance research, and ultimately improve mental health outcomes for Latinos nationwide.

American Psychiatric Association

The American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844, is the oldest medical association in the country. The APA is also the largest psychiatric association in the world with more than 39,200 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and research of mental illnesses. APA’s vision is to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. For more information, please visit www.psychiatry.org.

National Latino Behavioral Health Association (NLBHA)

The National Latino Behavioral Health Association (NLBHA) was founded to serve as a unified national voice for Latino communities in the behavioral health field. NLBHA works to address the significant disparities that persist in access to services, utilization, practice-based research, and the availability of culturally and linguistically trained professionals.

In 2025, NLBHA proudly celebrates its 25th Anniversary, recognizing a quarter century of advocacy, partnerships, and community-driven initiatives. This milestone will be commemorated at the 2025 National Latino Behavioral Health Conference on August 7th – 9th in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the organization will highlight its impactful collaborations and community engagement efforts. Theresa Miskimen Rivera, M.D., is a keynote speaker.

To learn more, please visit www.nlbha.org.