The National Latino Behavioral Health Association

The National Latino Behavioral Health Association (NLBHA) is a leading organization in the Health and Wellness industry, providing national leadership on mental health and substance abuse concerns for the Latino community. Established in 2000, NLBHA aims to address the great disparities that exist in areas of access, utilization, practice-based research, and adequately trained personnel for Latino populations in the behavioral health arena.

In recognition of the growing mental health service needs of the rapidly expanding Hispanic/Latino community, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) and its Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) sponsored a National Congress for Hispanic Mental Health in March 2000. This event emphasized the necessity for more accessible, appropriate, and responsive services for the Latino community, determining the need for a plan to serve as an heirloom for the next generation.

Following the congress, the National Latino Behavioral Health Association (NLBHA) was officially formed in September 2000 during a meeting in Los Angeles, California, where it received its 501(c)(3) status in 2002. Notably, UnitedHealthcare recently provided a $98.00K grant investment to support the association's initiatives on 19 October 2022.

By bringing together national Latino leaders in behavioral health research and services, advocates, and consumers/family members, NLBHA has emerged as a critical platform addressing mental health and substance abuse issues facing the Latino community. As the organization continues to grow and establish itself as a unified national voice, its impact on the behavioral health arena is poised to grow significantly.