The National Association of Latino Elected & Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund has invited Associate Professor Maria Aranda, Ph.D., to be a presenter for the "Latino Mental Health: Youth, Women, and the Elderly" session of the California Policy Institute on Health: Mental Health and Substance Abuse conference on Feb. 12 in Palm Springs, Calif.

Aranda will discuss: 1) the status of Latino elderly and mental health; 2) describe what Latino elected officials should do in this area and how they can work with universities to address the issue of the elderly and mental health

Session Description: Latino youth with mental illness are generally misdiagnosed as having anger problems or conduct disorders due to diverse cultural understanding. Latino youth also have the highest rate of attempted suicide in the United States. Latinas are more likely to experience a major depressive episode in their lifetime. Elderly Latinos face depression and dementia in what should be their golden years. This session will discuss Latino mental health for youth, women and the elderly.

The NALEO Educational Fund is the leading organization that empowers Latinos to participate fully in the American political process, from citizenship to public service.

The event will be sponsored by The California Endowment and Levi Strauss Foundation in collaboration with the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California, League of California Cities - Latino Caucus and California Latino School Boards Association.