you’re not alone

New York City is a melting pot of culture, with millions of people from different walks of life looking to find their way in the City that Never Sleeps. Perhaps unsurprisingly, NYC is home to one of the largest Latinx communities in the country, with an estimated 28.9% of its 8 million residents being Hispanic or Latinx. Out of all the foreign-born and undocumented immigrants within the city, the Latinx population makes up the largest share, accounting for 31% of the former and 53% of the latter. 

Living in an area with a thriving Latinx community, where the bonds of family hold strong, can be a wonderful experience. However, even amidst all the social connections, you may feel isolated or disconnected when faced with mental health challenges. It can be a difficult topic to discuss, especially with older-generation Latinx folks who don’t necessarily value talking about it, let alone acknowledge that mental illness is a real challenge.

Mental health issues don’t discriminate, regardless of your race or ethnicity, but marginalized groups often face higher barriers to seeking help. Only an estimated 34% of Latinx adults receive treatment for mental health issues, compared to the 45% U.S. average. Anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance abuse are unfortunately common conditions within the community, yet an overwhelming majority don’t get the support they need. The Latinx community faces many barriers to good mental health care, such as a lack of access and little awareness of where to look. 

If your energy, productivity, and overall well-being have been in decline recently or you’ve been feeling increasingly distant from your loved ones, you may want to consider seeking therapy. Sometimes, we all need a bit of help to better handle everyday challenges and minority stress and leave us with better ways of coping.

Your mental state is a combination of your own experiences, concerns, and coping mechanisms, so what you may be experiencing may not be the same as what someone else is going through. However, even across NYC’s incredibly diverse Latinx community, Latinx folks face common issues.

Racism and xenophobia are some of the most common issues faced by members of the Latinx community. You may feel helpless or angered in response to microaggressions or stark offenses like harsh verbal abuse and outright hate crimes. 

This isn’t to say that problems only crop up outside of your community. Even well-meaning family members and other loved ones can be a source of undue burden. For example, college students are often faced with the expectation that they’ll do well in school and start a successful career afterward, in order to give their family “a better life.”  

Financial stress is another common problem that Latinx folks may face. On average, Latinx immigrants earn less than NYC’s average wage — $34,800 vs. $51,200. The stress of being unable to cover basic necessities can lead to issues like anxiety or depression, along with other behavioral changes and physical symptoms. 

If you’re struggling with your mental health in your daily life, leaving you unable to perform well in work or school or unable to find enjoyment in your hobbies, therapy may be able to help you resolve your issues and get back on track.