Finding harmony between the richness of Hispanic culture and prioritizing your mental health.
In the midst of the leaves changing colors into crisp autumn shades, and the business of life taking charge once again as summer fades into the distance, we find the arrival of one of my personal favorite celebrations – Hispanic Heritage Month. During this month-long observation, from September 15th to October 15th, individuals from all Hispanic and Latin roots celebrate and honor all Hispanic cultures that continue to define and enrich history all around the world.
While the delicious food, joyful parades, vibrant art exhibits, and exciting dance performances help to highlight aspects of each culture’s story, there is often an overlooking of sorts when it comes to the intersection of the culture and mental health. While the stigmatization of mental health continues to be a topic that most shy away from within the Hispanic community, it is important to recognize the value in prioritizing mental health needs without devaluing culture.
As a first-generation Latina woman in the US, I often found myself experiencing life through the words of Richard Blanco:
“Como tú, I woke up to this dream of a country I didn’t choose, that didn’t choose me—trapped in the nightmare of its hateful glares. Como tú, I’m also from the lakes and farms, waterfalls and prairies of another country I can’t fully claim either. Como tú, I am either a mirage living among these faces and streets that raised me here, or I’m nothing, a memory forgotten by all I was taken from and can’t return to again.” [excerpt from Richard Blanco’s “Como Tu” poem, 2019]
It was in my teenage years where I discovered the harsh reality of what it meant to pave my way through the world as myself. It became apparent quite quickly for me that something was different. I wasn’t like the other children who could freely speak up about their injustices. I found myself feeling the weight of the invisible pressures, cultural norms, and traditional beliefs that would come to influence my personal perception of mental health and what it meant to see a therapist later in life.
Growing up, there were things I was told that had to remain among family. I couldn’t just walk up to a friend and vent to them all my frustrations because what if I said something that would make my family look bad? What if I spoke about something that I wasn’t supposed to? What if people began thinking bad about my family? What if my parents were affected? What if it brought dishonor to the family? What if…What if…What if… I went through life with the many “what ifs” that came from wanting to uphold my family and culture. Often, it was to the detriment and discarding of my voice, feelings, and self.
Then, when COVID struck, I found myself unable to cope with the whirlwind of complications life threw my way. It was then that I sought out to do what no one else in my family had done before, I found a therapist. When I tell people this story, I often say, “This part was life changing for me,” because it truly was. My therapist is a Caucasian middle-aged male who was born in Southern Louisiana and was now living in San Diego, California. I felt intimidated by him when we first met, and I feared therapy. There was a looming sense that what I was doing was “bad,” but as the days went on, and then the weeks, months, and years, I came to value my therapist and found myself being able to fully accept both myself and my culture in ways I hadn’t thought possible.
You see, there is something to gain from simply talking about dynamics and feelings to an individual who is there to listen to us, to walk with us on this journey of life and to support us with navigating whatever comes our way. My therapist’s space became a place of healing, self-acceptance, and renewal for me. Yet, that is not to say we did not have our fair share of difficulties at the start. There were definitely moments where we both had to pause to make sure we were understanding each other because our cultures are so vastly different from each other.
This is where my tips for Hispanic/Latinx individuals beginning therapy come in:
Understand you are not “bad” for wanting therapy: I know there might be pressure for you to not seek out professional help, but if you feel you need it, please get yourself connected to mental health services. You are not bad for wanting therapy, nor are you bad for speaking about your pain. There is value to your story and it is worth listening to.
Find someone who is culturally sensitive: As a therapist trainee myself, this is an area that we often overlook, but is highly needed. If you find a therapist, make sure they are aware of cultural considerations you may need addressed. Inform them about your culture and what role it plays in your life. While as clients we are not to educate our therapists (believe me, they can do their own homework) we can still honor ourselves by expressing to them our culture in whatever way best suits us.
If you want bilingual, go for it: I am a huge advocate for bilingual services. If you are someone who feels they express themselves better in a bilingual fashion, or you feel you express yourself better in your native language, please find a therapist who can understand you! You do not have to do therapy in English if it is not going to work for you. Do what you feel is best for your needs.
Advocate for your needs: You have a voice, and it matters! If there are accommodations you need or if you are not feeling heard, advocate for yourself. You are not a “bad” person for having needs. We all have them, and they are a valuable aspect of life. Honor them and honor yourself, your time, and your money.
Help others around you get connected: If you know someone who is struggling, get them connected to resources. I found that when doing my own therapy, people noticed the changes I was making and would ask, “Where did you go?” We don’t lose anything by helping those around us get connected. While it is not our responsibility to carry the weight of others, we can surely lend a friendly hand by informing them of what is available to them.
I am of firm belief that both culture and the recognition of mental health can co-exist. We need not value one over the other. They are both central to the well-being of our people. A step we can take toward breaking down stigmatization is to simply acknowledge that there is pain and suffering within our respective communities. While our histories are rich and the tapestries of their stories expand beyond what most of us may know, this does not mean we have gone without affliction. Today, we face many unique challenges as a community. We deal with acculturation stressors, discrimination, prejudice, immigration concerns, economic disparities, and so much more. All of these affect us in some way, shape, or form.
So, in this Hispanic Heritage Month, let us carry on with the spirit of resilience, the calling of celebration, and the honoring of pain. May this month-long observation serve to remind us of all the values Hispanic and Latin countries hold while also aiding us to foster a more inclusive and supportive mental health community for everyone. Whether you are an ally of the community or are someone born into this varied cultural experience like me, we all play a role in destigmatizing mental health and encouraging hearts toward discovering true healing for themselves without setting aside their cultural identities.
About Jasmine
My name is Jasmine Soto. I am a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee with Straight talk Counseling. I am also currently a full-time student at Vanguard University of Southern California where I am studying to get my Masters in Clinical Psychology. I pride myself in being a first generation Hispanic woman. I am the first in my family to graduate from university, let alone pursue higher education. The reason why I chose to pursue a career as a therapist stems from my heart to make resources available to my community. I have a passion for advocating for Hispanic/Latinx individuals because I didn't have that when I was struggling with my mental health as a young teen. I have also lost several loved ones due to the lack of resources in my area when I was a child. So, it has become a mission of mine to enter this field and become an advocate for my community.
When I am not in my professional role as a therapist trainee, I enjoy spending quality time with friends and family. I also spend my free time either reading, doing creative activities, or serving at my church. Photography has also recently become a passion of mine along with hiking. I also like to take care of dogs from time to time and I have fun working on various projects with my church's youth social media team. However, as I always say, my largest "self-care" activity is doing my own personal therapy where I am able to continue to better care for myself so that I can show up for my clients.
Comentarios