In Latino and immigrant communities, talking about mental health remains a challenge marked by stigma, silence, and fear. However, mental health is an essential part of individual and collective well-being, especially in contexts marked by migration, violence, discrimination, and political uncertainty.
Strengthening Mental Health: Stories of Healing and Community Care is part of Bienestar: Estar Bien, an Alianza Americas initiative aimed at promoting the comprehensive well-being of Latino and immigrant communities, recognizing that mental health is a fundamental component of social justice, dignity, and collective care.
Through a series of five testimonial videos, this campaign highlights the real experiences of people who have faced depression, anxiety, violence, suicidal ideation, and personal transformation processes and who have found paths to healing through community support, professional accompaniment, and access to adequate services.
According to data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), more than 21% of Latinos experienced some form of mental health condition in the past year. Although access to treatment has increased, significant structural barriers remain, such as the stigma associated with mental health, the lack of culturally and linguistically accessible services, economic insecurity, grueling working hours, and fear of detention or deportation.
These conditions are exacerbated by the current political context. Restrictive migration policies, the criminalization of migration, and forced family separation have intensified levels of anxiety, stress, and depression, profoundly affecting adults, youth, and children. The impact is not individual: it affects the emotional stability of entire families and the well-being of society as a whole.
Through Bienestar: Estar Bien, Alianza Americas promotes an approach that understands mental health as a human right and a collective responsibility, where healing is a built from within the community, with culturally relevant tools and supportive networks.
This introductory video presents the five stories that make up the campaign and summarizes the collective lessons that emerge from them.From Bienestar: Estar Bien, this trailer invites us to recognize that mental health is a shared process and that support, information, and empathy are essential for healing.
Want to organize a community conversation about mental health using these videos?
We've developed a Community Mental Health Conversation Toolkit, with practical guidance, a suggested agenda, guiding questions, and recommendations for creating safe and respectful spaces.
This toolkit is designed for community organizations, leaders, health navigators, and networks that want to foster dialogue, reduce stigma, and strengthen collective care.
Luz: How I found a way out of depression and violence
A story of recovery driven by community support.
Luz suffered from depression as a result of violence in her relationship and at work. For years, she remained trapped in a difficult cycle, until community work became a source of support, strength, and personal reconstruction. Her story reflects one of the central principles of Bienstar: Estar Bien, healing does not happen in isolation, but in community.
When stress holds you back: Rocio’s path to healing
A testimony on mental health, self-care and professional support.
During the pandemic, Rocío was diagnosed with anxiety and severe stress. Through medical support, self-care. and education, she has managed to reduce the impact of these symptoms on her life. Her testimony highlights the importance of recognizing mental health as part of the comprehensive well-being promoted by Bienestar: Estar Bien.
John:Surviving a suicide attempt and believing in life again
A powerful reminder that asking for help can save lives.
John enfrentó violencia, vivió en situación de calle y atravesó una hospitalización psiquiátrica que lo llevó a un intento de suicidio. El acceso a ayuda profesional, el apoyo de su pareja y su compromiso con su proceso personal le permitieron reconstruir su vida con esperanza. Su historia subraya la urgencia de fortalecer redes de apoyo comunitarias, uno de los pilares de Bienestar: Estar Bien.
Alejandro: Building new identities from mental health
The power of emotional health to transform relationships and roles.
Alejandro's mental health journey allowed him to question deeply rooted family patterns and gender stereotypes. His story shows how emotional care can transform not only individuals, but also family and community dynamics, in line with Bienestar: Estar bien’s vision of collective care.
Hope: Breaking the cycle of violence and regaining my self-esteem
A path to personal and family freedom.
Esperanza decided to break the cycle of violence and embark on a recovery process that transformed her life and that of her family. Her testimony shows how access to emotional and community support can rebuild self-esteem and lead to a freer, safer, and more dignified life.
