About.

Reports and national data indicate that young Latinos are at greater risk of developing emotional discomfort compared to the general population of youth. This information poised the following question: “What do our Latino youth think about mental health?” In search for an answer we organized six different groups of young Latino/as in community agencies, colleges and after-school programs throughout the Chicagoland area, and here is what our youth had to say:

• There are so many emotions we feel, but are afraid to express them for fear of being categorized as “Crazy”
• Our parents seem to have the same solution/answer every time there is a problem:

1. “Go do your homework”
2. “Focus on your education”
3. “I have bigger problems than you, so get over it”
4. “There is nothing wrong with you, so stop saying that – the family will think we are dysfunctional or crazy”

The needs we heard in our discussion groups were simple: There is a need to educate our parents/guardians in the importance of being heard, in order to get over of these obstacles we face as adolescents.

We Hear You. Te Escuchamos.

Campaign Goal

To empower with knowledge, skills, and fellowship, those mental health professionals that seek to continually evolve into culturally competent providers.  Through this endeavor, increasing the availability of culturally attuned mental health services for the Latino/a community

• Increase the number of culturally competent providers and cultural competency of existing providers
• Promote communication and collaboration between agencies
• Increase the number of Latinas/os seeking and receiving mental health services
• Decrease stigma attached to mental health services in the Latino/a community

For more in formation on how to become involved with the Latino Mental Health Providers Network please visit website.