Latino Mental Health Panel raises awareness

Latino Mental Health Panel gets comfortable talking about the uncomfortable

By Mia Noriega

SAGINAW, Mich. – On Thursday, Sept. 24, Delta’s Downtown Saginaw Center created a Latino Mental Health Panel. This panel was made up of Clinical Therapist Angel Gomez, Counselor Sevia Reyes, and Delta alumna and Mental Health First Aid-certified professional Velencia Mejia. 

Monica Hernandez-Alaniz moderated this event and introduced topics and questions regarding the stigma, representation, and support within the Latino/Hispanic community to the panel.

In front of an interactive audience of approximately 20 people, the panelists opened up about their own experiences and difficulties in finding the proper representation and support within their communities. The panelists agreed that mental health is frequently ignored or swept under the rug in Latino/Hispanic households. 

“Not knowing where to start is a big (topic) because no one else in our family has had these conversations or welcomed these conversations,” Mejia said. 

This highlights why conversations regarding mental health are typically hard to start.

This panel has brought up the significance of finding professional help that understands the cultural pressures that are typically shown in Latino/Hispanic households.

 “Breathing and finding your village,” Gomez emphasized for those who may be balancing a bit extra on their plates with school, work, and family responsibilities as the panel comes to an end.

In closing, the panelists agreed that to raise awareness of Latino Mental Health, we must get comfortable talking about these uncomfortable topics and getting involved in our community to find ways to build the village we need.