This Hispanic Heritage Month, Rivia Mind is celebrating our Hispanic mental health clinicians. It is important to us to have a diverse team of clinicians, both to strengthen our organization as a whole and to better serve our clients. For many individuals who speak English as a second language, having a bilingual and bicultural clinician is critical to being understood and receiving the support they need.
We recently sat down with two of our clinicians, Sara Pettit, LMSW, and Ana Maria Paniagua, LCSW, to talk about what Hispanic Heritage Month meant to them. Here’s what they had to say:
Tell us about yourself, your heritage, and what Hispanic Heritage Month means to you.
SP: I am the daughter of a parent who immigrated from El Salvador to the United States, and a Non-Hispanic American born parent. As I grow in this field, I learn more about the significance and impact of this on who I am, my values and my actions. While Hispanic Heritage Month to me is an opportunity for members of the Latinx community to be recognized and celebrated for the many wonderful things brought to the world, it is also a gentle reminder that this identity looks different for many. Embracing all the facets of our identity can be a beautiful thing and there is no one right way to do this.
AMP: I was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, a place deeply rooted in vibrant culture and traditions. My family’s heritage traces back to Spain, specifically from the regions of Asturias and Plasencia, which has given me a unique blend of Spanish and Puerto Rican influences in my life. Currently, I reside in upstate New York, which has provided me with a diverse and enriching experience, allowing me to connect with people from various backgrounds and cultures. However, no matter where life takes me, my Puerto Rican heritage remains an integral part of my identity.
Hispanic Heritage Month holds significant importance for me. It’s a time when I can wholeheartedly celebrate and pay tribute to the rich tapestry of Hispanic cultures, including my own. It’s an occasion to share the music, cuisine, traditions, and history that have shaped me into the person I am today.
Moreover, Hispanic Heritage Month serves as a reminder of the importance of diversity and inclusion. It encourages dialogue and connections between people of different backgrounds, promoting unity and mutual respect. It’s a time when I can proudly showcase my heritage and at the same time, learn more about the richness of other Hispanic cultures.
In essence, Hispanic Heritage Month is a source of immense pride for me, as it allows me to share my love for my cultural heritage while fostering a sense of unity and appreciation for the diverse Hispanic community. It’s a time of reflection, celebration, and a reaffirmation of the values and traditions that have been passed down through generations in my family.
How did you come to work in the mental health field? What is your specialty and what called you to that specialty?
SP: Originally working with children, I was fortunate enough to see the lives of many families including the challenges and the excitement of every new stage and to support them from my role. I wanted to continue that work in a more individual level. I entered the field because I love to support others in getting to know themselves, their strengths and learn new skills to work through the ups and downs of life. I have experience treating anxiety and depression as well as trauma and grief and felt drawn to how mindfulness can be applied in much of this work.
AMP: My journey into the mental health field was deeply rooted in a passion for understanding human behavior and a desire to make mental health support more accessible. Initially, I pursued journalism to explore this interest, as I’ve always been dedicated to learning and sharing knowledge.
My path took a significant turn when I began volunteering on a suicide prevention hotline. It was during this experience that I discovered my profound love for helping individuals in crisis. This calling led me to shift my career towards mental health, driven by a strong desire to make a positive impact on people’s lives. In my current practice, I specialize in complex trauma and attachment.
I firmly believe that healing takes place within the context of relationships and community. Even for those who work independently, they find their reflections and healing opportunities through connections with others. My focus is on helping individuals heal attachment wounds and rediscover the joy and worthiness of life.
Cultural background and environment play a big role in mental health, and there’s often a distinct cultural experience between first and second generation immigrants. What can you speak to about potential mental health factors or experiences for first generation immigrants and second generation immigrants? What similarities and what differences?
SP: While I cannot speak to the lived experience of a first generation immigrant, I can acknowledge that I have benefited from the identity of being born in the United States as a Latina. The conversation around mental healthcare being normalized started much earlier in my life, and allowed me the confidence to pursue this role.
There are many challenges that come with adapting to and navigating a new home that many first generation immigrants may focus on and prioritize without choice over their mental health care, and these ideas and behaviors may be modeled for the next generation. What these two generations do share is the sense of community that embodies the culture, and the experience of change. This sets the foundation for increased conversation between generations to normalize the value of seeking support.
What are some barriers that the Hispanic/LatinX population in the United States faces when it comes to mental health care access?
SP: Every person should have access to care, but this is not a given and is especially true in non-English speaking immigrant communities. When access is present, stigma, feeling under represented and finances can all play a role in keeping one from seeking support.
Stigma and stereotypes can cause symptoms to be minimized or overlooked when healthcare does not represent the community it is treating, or when providers do not seek cultural competency. This can deter one from sharing these symptoms again. Language barriers can prevent some from getting through the first phone call, or visit to an office.
This being said, I am happy to see that so many members of the Latinx community are developing the healthcare field by entering it and helping to reduce the impact of many of these barriers. The conversation of access especially to immigrant populations must always continue.
AMP: The Hispanic/LatinX community in the United States encounters several obstacles when trying to access mental health care. Language is a critical barrier, as being able to express emotions and experiences in one’s native language is vital for effective communication with mental health professionals.
Cultural competence is also essential, encompassing an understanding of cultural norms, spirituality, and customs specific to this community. Stigma surrounding mental health, coupled with historical mistrust of healthcare systems and discrimination experiences, often deters individuals from seeking help.
The financial burden of mental health care, the shortage of culturally tailored services, and concerns related to immigration status further compound these challenges. Addressing these barriers necessitates a comprehensive approach, including culturally sensitive services, stigma reduction efforts, improved insurance coverage, and addressing immigration-related fears, to ensure equitable access to mental health support for all.
What does culturally and linguistically competent care mean to you? What would you recommend to someone seeking it out?
SP: Cultural and linguistic competency means that providers seek shared meaning of ones life experiences as it relates to their culture, and operate from a framework of respect and willingness to learn. This is sometimes an ongoing journey in the therapeutic relationship. Sometimes seeking it out means feeling represented in a provider who looks like you. Sometimes it means speaking the same language. Sometimes it means checking in with one’s own cognitive biases around different dialects or colloquialisms and understanding that words may hold a different weight for you than for others.
I would recommend that someone seeking this out in a provider checks in with their values and needs as it relates to their cultural identity. Ask yourself “What helps me to feel safe? Understood? ” Feel confident to acknowledge when you aren’t feeling understood, or are feeling disconnected from the work due to a lack of cultural competency.
AMP: To me, culturally competent care involves healthcare providers who are not only proficient in the patient’s language but also possess an understanding of their cultural beliefs, values, and practices. It means recognizing the impact of culture on health behaviors and outcomes, acknowledging and respecting diverse perspectives, and creating a safe and welcoming environment for all.
For someone seeking culturally and linguistically competent care, I would recommend a couple steps: 1) Research. Look for healthcare providers and facilities that explicitly advertise their commitment to cultural competence and diversity. This might include searching for reviews or testimonials from individuals of similar cultural backgrounds. 2) Ask questions. Don’t hesitate to ask potential healthcare providers about their experience working with patients from your cultural background. Inquire about their language proficiency, cultural sensitivity training, and their approach to tailoring care to your specific needs.
Thank you again to our skilled and compassionate clinicians in the LatinX community, as well as to our LatinX patients. Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!
