Mental Health Challenges and Support: Latinx Communities
Common mental health conditions among Latinx are generalized anxiety disorder, major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and excessive use of alcohol and drugs. Additionally, suicide is a concern for Latinx youth. An estimated 33% of Latinx adults with mental illness receive treatment each year compared to the U.S. average of 43%. Without treatment, certain mental health conditions can worsen and become disabling. Read more ›
If you were raised in a Latinx household, you’ll know that when it comes to mental health, we don’t grow up talking about it.
In the United States alone, more than 16% of the Latinx community struggles with a mental health condition. This is nearly 10 million people. And while mental health doesn’t discriminate against any one community, it does affect non-White populations at prolonged rates. Such that, depression in Blacks and Hispanics is likely to be more 
Bilingual books are not about simply placing the books in your library and hoping they will get utilized by your students. Likewise, the books are not an answer to diversity issues in your classroom teaching. Bilingual books deal with the same issues that monolingual books address: colorism, gender, and more. 
For years, ELL students have been regarded as students who come with a deficit, or gaps, in their knowledge. The assumption is that these students must be taught English in order to assimilate into our culture and ultimately be successful in school. On the other hand, to regard these students as “emergent bilingual,” suggests that there is value in their native language and cultural background, in addition to other contributions they bring to the classroom. 
Babies are born “citizens of the world.” Children can tell the difference between all the sounds in all the world’s languages at birth. By the time they turn one year old, infants have become “language specialists.” At 10 to 12 months, infants no longer hear the differences between sounds in other languages. 
Latino communities often struggle to find quality care. Fortunately, there are a number of organizations that offer care and support to those in the Latino community. 
Parenting is challenging, even in ideal circumstances. Certain parents, such as those who have children with special needs, are particularly vulnerable to parental fatigue, also known as “compassion fatigue,” and its negative health impact. 
Raising children with special needs is stressful. Some situations are more stressful than others, but even a relatively mild learning disability can make daily life more complex. Fortunately, there are options for finding help and support. 
Being the parent of a child with special needs is challenging. In fact, it can bring unexpected stresses with spouses, siblings and even within your own belief in your parenting abilities. 
