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For many in the Latinx community, even saying the words “salud mental” (mental health) can feel heavy, sometimes even shameful. Maybe you’ve been told “sé fuerte” or “tú puedes” (be strong, you can do this). But here’s the truth: struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or any mental health disorder doesn’t mean you’re broken; it means you’re human.
I wrote this article for Latinx individuals and families who carry the unspoken weight of stigma surrounding mental health and therapy. Together, let’s explore why mental health still feels taboo in our community and, more importantly, how we can break that silence.
The Cultural Roots of Silence
As a Latina, I have seen that, in our culture, conversations about mental health are often avoided or minimized. Many of us grow up hearing phrases like “La ropa sucia se lava en casa” (dirty laundry is washed at home) or “Échale ganas” (just try harder). The message is clear: keep problems inside the family, push through, and don’t complain.
Values like familismo which emphasizes loyalty, unity, and sacrifice are deeply woven into our identity. While these values can be powerful sources of strength, they can also make it harder to seek professional help outside our family circle.
Research from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) shows that Latinx individuals are 50% less likely to receive mental health treatment than non-Hispanic whites. The fear of being labeled “loco” or “débil” (crazy or weak) by one’s own family continues to silence many.
In my experience, this silence doesn’t come from a lack of love, but from a lack of information. Our parents and grandparents did the best they could with what they knew but now we know more, and we can do better.
The Real Impact of Stigma
This silence comes with a cost. A 2023 study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that Latinx adults experience higher rates of untreated depression and anxiety due to cultural stigma, limited access to mental health services, and a lack of culturally competent therapists.
During my internship at Inclusion Online Therapy, an online practice that serves clients in New York and Florida, I have seen how long many people wait before reaching out for support. Some share that they delayed therapy for years because they feared judgment from family and friends or worried they would be seen as weak for needing help.
I often hear things like:
“I didn’t want my parents to think I was ungrateful.”
“In my family, you just keep going. You don’t talk about anxiety or depression.”
By the time they seek help, many are carrying panic attacks, insomnia, constant worry, or deep sadness alone. Stigma doesn’t make pain smaller, it makes it bigger.
A Path to Healing
Here’s the good news: our culture already contains powerful pathways to healing. Spirituality, music, social connections, and family support can all play essential roles in emotional recovery.
Studies on culturally adapted interventions show that integrating spirituality and family values into therapy can improve outcomes for Latinx clients. I have seen firsthand how combining cultural practices and traditions with therapy can positively impact mental health. Good therapy doesn’t erase your culture, it honors it.
During my internship, I learned that the clinicians at Inclusion Online Therapy incorporate cultural traditions and holistic practices such as prayer, mindfulness, tapping, and journaling as part of their clinical work with clients. They help people connect traditional coping strategies with evidence-based clinical tools, encouraging clients to honor their cultural values while healing.
When a client feels seen not just as a diagnosis, but as a whole person with culture, history, and faith the healing process becomes more meaningful and sustainable.
Coping Strategies You Can Try Today
If you are ready to begin breaking the stigma and start your own healing journey, here are some small steps you can take:
Journal About Your Beliefs Around Mental Health
Reflect on the messages about strength and sacrifice you received growing up. What did your family teach you about asking for help? How have those beliefs shaped the way you see your mental health today?
Talk to Someone You Trust
Share one struggle with a friend, sibling, or favorite tía. Naming our problems can take its power away. Sometimes, when we share our pain, we discover that others have experienced something similar and we feel less alone.
Listen to Guided Meditations in the Language You Prefer
Apps like Insight Timer offer meditations in English and “Español”. You can find guided practices related to spirituality, mindfulness, healing from trauma, and cultural identity. Listening in your native language can make the experience feel more personal and accessible.
Find a Bilingual, Culturally Sensitive Therapist
Whenever possible, connect with a therapist who speaks your preferred language and understands your cultural background. Research shows that a strong connection with your therapist is one of the strongest predictors of positive outcomes in therapy.
If you live in New York or Florida, you can visit our website, Inclusion Online Therapy, to choose one of our bilingual therapists. You can also visit LatinxTherapy.com to connect with a bilingual therapist in your area. Prioritize receiving culturally responsive care from a clinician who is sensitive to your values, experiences, and needs.
Breaking the Silence
There is a popular saying: “Cuando el río suena, es porque agua trae” (when the river makes noise, it’s because water is coming). The growing conversations about Latinx mental health are that sound proof that our communities are becoming more aware and more willing to prioritize emotional well-being. That noise is a sign that healing is on its way.
Therapy isn’t about weakness; it’s about courage. By breaking the silence, you’re not only caring for yourself, you are also opening doors for others in our community and for the next generation.
If you’re ready to take the first step toward healing, explore a few options: start journaling, talk to someone you trust, or connect with a therapist who honors your culture, values, and story.
You are not alone. Your healing can start with one conversation.
Resources To Help You Break the Stigma:
- 📞 Free 24/7 Mental Health Support Line: 1-800-662-HELP (SAMHSA)
- 🌎 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- 🧘 Insight Timer: Bilingual Guided Meditations
- 💻 Latinx Therapy Directory
- 🩵 Inclusion Online Therapy — culturally affirming, bilingual therapy services available online.
References
- Inclusion Online Therapy. (n.d.). Services. https://inclusiononlinetherapy.clientsecure.me
- JAMA Psychiatry. (2023). Mental health disparities among Latinx populations. JAMA Psychiatry. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). (n.d.). Latinx/Hispanic. https://nami.org
- PubMed. (2021). Culturally adapted cognitive behavioral therapy for Latinx clients. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
