For Fernando, I would use a two-pronged approach. First, he must be assured that despite his immigration status, he can still make use of social services without fear of legal consequences. This may mean a counselor or social worker would have to establish a relationship with Fernando and his wife to develop rapport and trust. Developing trust will also be important in taking away his fear of appearing weak for seeking help, which is a common stigma Hispanic men face. Over the course of visits, I would make Fernando aware of the services available to him while also discussing his depression and mental health to address strategies that would be helpful to him. Aside from making him aware of services that are available to him and providing him with literature that will give him the information needed to take advantage of said services, the aspect of mental health counseling would be at the crux of my course of action, since his mental health is negatively affecting his physical health and social life.

In this case, it is important to remember that every culture has its own customs, beliefs, and traditions. Most cultures have some form of similarity of one thing or another. Social workers and counselors need to understand that all cultures as different, no matter how similar they may seem from an outsider perspective. They must be prepared to counsel a variety of different people with a variety of different backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. Different practices and strategies need to be used when counseling a multicultural clientele.

Spirituality and religiosity play a major role in the lives of many Hispanic people. This is not to say that all Hispanics value spirituality and religion. They play a major role in the Hispanic culture due to the long history that Hispanic individuals have with the feeling of community within their lives. Speaking with Fernando and his wife to understand their religious beliefs and the role their extended religious community is playing in their lives would be beneficial, since this could be something helpful for Fernando to lean on during his struggles and something his wife could also support. However, a counselor or social worker needs to be able to realize that just because a culture values a certain practice, it does not mean that all individuals within that culture will enjoy the same activities involving that practice or theory. If neither Fernando nor his wife is spiritual, it would be fruitless to emphasize turning toward faith to address Fernando’s depression.