As a daughter of immigrant parents, I grew up trying to fit into two cultures. The Latine culture my parents raised me in was deeply ingrained in our home. Spanish was the only language I knew when I started school. I didn’t speak French or English when I began kindergarten, and I remember feeling anxious and disconnected, unable to communicate with my classmates. It was hard to connect with others and make friends when you couldn’t speak the same language. That feeling of isolation, of not belonging, stayed with me for a long time—and it’s something that many young Latine people might understand when balancing two cultures. Those early experiences often contribute to the anxiety and stress that many people experience when trying to navigate between different worlds.
While I was a teenager, I often heard discussions about depression and mental health. But in my culture, there was a lot of shaming around people struggling with mental health. It was either seen as “made-up” in casual conversations, or it was called a “virus”—something you didn’t want to get too close to. People would say, “Don’t hang out with that person, they won’t be a good influence.”
But mental health is not a weakness or a sign of being dramatic. It’s a real condition, often caused by an imbalance in the brain—neurons failing to connect, which impacts how you feel and function. There is nothing wrong with you when you experience these feelings, and seeking help is not a sign of weakness. Mental health is a very real aspect of our lives, just as much as physical health.
You might not know what mental health looks like or how to recognize it, especially if you’ve experienced shame around it. I’ve often found that fictional characters make complex feelings easier to understand. For instance, one of my favorite books is Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez. In it, the male lead, Jacob, is portrayed with an authentic description of anxiety. He overthinks something as simple as deciding what to eat for lunch with someone. He wonders if soup will be too hard to eat on the floor, if a warm meal might stink up the room, or if a sandwich might be too messy. So, he opts for a salad instead. Meanwhile, his co-worker doesn’t overthink it and comes in with a messy lunch, unbothered. I love this example because it illustrates how something as simple as lunch can be overthought when anxiety takes over. Other symptoms of anxiety include rumination, trouble concentrating or making decisions, and feeling irritable, tense, or restless.
Reaching out for help when you’re struggling with mental health can be incredibly hard, especially when you feel like you’re supposed to have it all together. In my culture, there’s often a fear of judgment or a feeling of shame that can keep people from opening up. You might worry that others won’t understand, or that asking for help means you’re weak or not living up to expectations. But in reality, therapy can be a powerful tool for healing. It offers a space to speak freely and safely, without fear of judgment. Therapy helps you understand the roots of your feelings, develop coping strategies, and find ways to manage both anxiety and/or depression.
Even though it feels impossible at times, reaching out for help is never a sign of weakness—it’s the first step toward healing. Whether you’re fighting through the weight of depression or navigating anxiety, you are not alone in your struggle. Therapy can provide the support you need to start feeling better, to get out of that dark room and back into the light.
If you’re struggling and feel like you don’t know where to turn, I’m here to listen. Therapy isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about working together to find your path to healing. You deserve a space where you can be heard, supported, and guided through the challenges you’re facing. Reach out today, and let’s take that first step together.
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