Solving the suburbs' mental health language barriers

Problem: As many as 500,000 people who speak a language other than English at home in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties could need mental health help each year, and the suburbs have a shortage of bilingual providers including counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists or therapists to treat them.

Solutions:

• Individuals should seek therapy in their native language, searching through insurance networks or Psychology Today

• Health care providers and patients should use an interpreter

• Colleges and universities should increase the pipeline of bilingual students in mental health fields through scholarships

• Health care providers should allow clients to express emotions in their native language, helping them process feelings intellectually