National Hispanic Heritage Month: Celebrating the Voices of Latinx and Hispanic Communities
September 3, 2025 – 3 min read
By AFSP
Each year, National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15. AFSP is passionate about reducing suicide and promoting mental health awareness in Latinx and Hispanic communities, during this time and all year round.
From research, we know the importance of offering culturally informed educational resources and opportunities for connection — which includes the stories we share on our Real Stories blog. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, and to help raise awareness about the unique mental health challenges faced by people in Latinx and Hispanic communities, we encourage you to read these powerful stories.
“What My Daughter Taught Me: Be a Champion of Your Mental Health”
By Ericka Llerena
"Growing up in a Hispanic household has many blessings associated with it. But one particular way I have found purpose is to help break the taboos that still often exist regarding mental health in the Hispanic community. I have learned over the years, through the bravery of my child, that having honest, open communication about the state of one’s mental wellbeing is crucial."
“Bringing Hope to Other Loss Survivors Has Helped Me Heal”
By Judy Battista
"As a Latina, I was glad to participate this year in the Día de Esperanza (Day of Hope) event. I grew up in a dual language household, and we only spoke about mental health in passing. For those of us who are bilingual, it feels like living in two worlds. I had processed suicide loss grief more in English. Having these conversations in Spanish is like flipping an empanada to cook it on the other side! It is a profound, internal shift that is both validating and empowering. It helps me grieve and heal in both languages."
“Mental Health and the Latinx Community: How Counselors Can Encourage Resilience and Build Relationships”
By Camila A. Pulgar Guzmán, LCMHCA, Ph.D. Student
"As a mental health clinician in North Carolina, I have the honor of working exclusively with Latinx/Hispanics clients. During sessions, being a fluent native Spanish speaker gives me a solid route of communication, and bilingual therapists are in high demand. It’s important that we create pathways in which Spanish speaking clients can receive mental health services in their preferred language, and that bilingual therapists receive the supervision and training they need."
“Being the Boice – That’s Voice with an Accent – for the Voiceless”
By Denisse C. Lamas, LCSW
"Part of the reason I chose my calling, and founded a mental health agency that serves the Hispanic population, is because I realize that minorities and immigrants face unique challenges in receiving appropriate services for mental health. Through my work, I focus on helping them receive services to improve their mental health and overall quality of life. I believe there is no reason for anyone not to be able to receive the medical care they need for their mental health."
“Changing Our Expectations”
By Michelle Ramirez
"So much work has been done to erase the sense of shame associated with mental health — younger people, in particular, are more and more open to discussing it openly — but there is still much more work to be done. Only by working together to erase the out-of-date barriers that stand in the way of people seeking support and treatment will we truly find hope and healing."
“Latinos & Mental Health: Current Issues and Reason for Hope”
By Eric Moreno
"Despite dealing with mental health conditions on a regular basis, Latinos are less likely to access mental and behavioral health care resources, especially children and young adults. Armed with the knowledge of the obstacles that keep many Latinos from accessing available mental health resources, groups, organizations, and governmental officials across the country have taken steps to improve access to care in the Latino community."
We also encourage you to read and share our roundup of national mental health and suicide prevention resources focused on supporting Latinx and Hispanic communities: "Mental Health Resources for Latinx and Hispanic Communities"