Depression is one problem among many that Latin@s in general have a really hard time discussing. I know that in my own community, it wasn’t so much that there was stigma around the idea of ‘depression,’ but more that there simply was no time to waste on working through depression. Not when each parent had two or three jobs and the kids had school and jobs to deal with as well.

I’ve talked with other Latin@s, however, from different types of backgrounds, and they have spoken of the absolute stigma that was wrapped around ‘depression’–as if anybody who had depression was somehow ‘weak’ or even too ‘gringa.’

So it was great for me to read about this:

Due to the dramatic disparity in health care and the need for better access to support and treatment, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) has developed a dynamic and interactive Spanish-language Web site, dbsalianza.org, empowering caregivers and those coping with depression and bipolar disorder with critical recovery tools and information.

Recognizing our mental health as being just as essential and important as or physical health is a human right. We deserve help, we deserve good lives! We need to take care of ourselves always! Get over there and scour through that site!