Happy National Latinx Heritage Month! by Dylan Hines
(Above: University of Southern California Illustration)
Known federally as Hispanic Heritage Month, this is a month celebrated each year from September 15th to October 15th to recognize and celebrate the many cultures and histories of Latinx, Hispanic, and Latino-identified communities across the world, as well as the contributions that Latinx people have made to the history and culture of the United States. While this is a time to honor the rich histories and cultural practices of Latinx communities, it is just as important to educate ourselves about the challenges that these communities still face and to advocate for their wellbeing– so, let’s talk about Latinx mental health.
What do parents, educators, and other folks supporting young people need to know about Latinx mental health in the US?
- Due to various cultural factors, mental health and mental illness can sometimes be taboo topics in Latinx families and young people may feel pressured to “suffer in silence” or handle things on their own.
- 22% of Latinx youth report having depressive symptoms.
- Many people in Latinx households cannot access affordable mental health treatment: 18% of Latinx people in the US do not have health insurance.
- While not all Latinx families are impacted by migration and family separation, many are. This can have significant impacts on a child’s mental health. This can be especially true for documented children of undocumented parents.
- Despite the need, Latinx children are less likely to be identified as suicidal and less likely to receive crisis intervention services.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- What impacts a person’s mental health? Well… simply put, everything. Can a person go to school, or work, or the store and feel safe? Respected? Included? Understood? Can they access food? Medicine? Transportation? When we talk about mental health, it’s important to remember that so many things can impact the ways that people see and interact with the world.
- No community is a monolith. Even though people may identify similarly, there will be so many differences among people in terms of beliefs, personalities, practices, and so on. Let’s make sure never to generalize about a group of people, Latinx folks included.
- On language. Often when reading about these communities, you will see a variety of terms used: Hispanic, Latina, Latino, Latinx, Latine, Latin@… and many folks will identify with a nationality with terms such as Mexicano/a, Colombiano/a, Cubano/a, etc. Some have similar meanings while others differ. When in doubt about which term to use for someone, ask them!
Resources + Read More
Latinx/Hispanic Communities: Información y Materiales de Salud Mental en Español
The State of Latino Children’s Mental Health | UnidosUS
Hispanic/Latinx | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
Latinx/Hispanic Communities and Mental Health
Latinx Heritage Month: More Than One Word, More Than One Heritage – Human Rights Campaign
National Hispanic American Heritage Month 2022 – For Teachers
Local Organizations
Casa Azul de Wilson | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree
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