Mental Health Toolkit
Uplifting Latino Mental Health Support
Our toolkit can help you start culturally-relevant discussions about mental health in the Latino community. It provides tips and guides to normalize and encourage conversations about emotional well-being, while emphasizing the importance of self-care.
Misconceptions around mental health in the Latino community have kept many people from prioritizing emotional wellness. Many believe prayer or natural remedies alone can solve issues, while others express guilt about feeling down when others may be worse off.
Conversations about mental health can also bump up against Latino culture's "machismo" aspects, characterizing mental health concerns as a sign of weakness. These notions are compounded by limited access to affordable bilingual services and a real fear of immigration-related repercussions.
In partnership with Latinovations, a public affairs and research group advocating for Latinos, as well as mental health experts and community leaders, we’ve developed a bilingual toolkit with social media graphics, conversation guides, and other tools to educate yourself and others and inspire positive conversations about Latino mental health.
A COMMUNITY IN CRISIS
Jumpstarting conversations about emotional wellness can be challenging within the Latino community, as research shows existing biases around mental health. There's still misinformation, perceived weakness, and guilt around acknowledging emotional trauma.
Among Latinos in the U.S.:
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Only 41%
are currently getting help/treatment for mental health issues.* -
49%
experience anxiety or depression symptoms.* -
50%
say they try to ignore or distract themselves from negative emotions.*
*Source: Ad Council 2022 Research
Our toolkit can support your efforts dispelling generational misconceptions and helping folks reconsider the importance of emotional well-being in the Latino community.
The Latino community has been incredibly hard hit by the mental health crisis in our country. We are empowering our busy families, caregivers and community leaders, to discuss these issues openly, with the best and most relevant bilingual tools and resources that resonate with our vastly diverse Latino community.
Maria Cardona, Latino Community Thought Leader
INSPIRING GROWTH THROUGH CONVERSATION
We've developed messaging guides to help support your conversations about emotional wellness and healing in the Latino community. Discover additional terms, methods and advice to enhance your work to normalize mental health care across generational, gender, and language barriers.
It's Helpful To... | It's Not Helpful To... |
| Use supportive language that affirms the vast range of emotions people experience and communicates understanding. | Use stigmatizing or judgmental language. Why? Many people do not see reaching out for mental health support as a sign of strength and may fear being judged for struggling. |
| Talk about mental health as something all people have and struggle with from time to time. | Use language that makes individuals feel alone in their mental health struggles or a sense of shame. |
| Encourage the acknowledgement of all emotions and the explicit benefits of processing negative emotions. | Use “toxic positivity” or messages that do not allow for more challenging or complex emotions (e.g., “Good vibes only”). |
| Be intentional about how mental health is introduced and framed when communicating with your intended audience. Incorporate commonly used phrases (e.g., “You Good/Estas bien?” vs “how is your mental health?”) written in plain, easy-to-understand language. | Default to academic language (e.g., mental well-being) when communicating about mental health. Why? Certain terms and phrases can sound out of place or confusing depending on the audience. |
| Provide context around why there might be low use of mental health services and stigma surrounding mental health (e.g., systemic inequities, historic disenfranchisement). | Make generalizations about an audience or provide statistics that could be perceived as unfavorable without providing additional context on the causes or contributing factors. |
Messaging Guidance
Download these documents containing additional considerations as well as suggested messages and guidelines to complement your current efforts or to start having more authentic and open conversations about mental health and well-being in the Latino Community.
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Messaging Guidance for the Latino CommunityThis guide offers key messages, stats, and advice from mental health experts to help engage in honest, productive conversations about mental health in the Latino community, focusing on opening minds and overcoming misconceptions.
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Messaging Guidance for Parents & CaregiversUse these tips and messages to spread the word about the Sound it Out campaign, which promotes the use of music to help kids and teens open up about their feelings and emotions safely.
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Messaging Guidance for Young AdultsTurn to these messages when sharing graphics or videos from our Seize the Awkward campaign, which offers advice to young people who want to create safer spaces for discussing mental health with their friends.
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Messaging Guidance for VeteransUse these tips and messages to spread the word about the "Don't Wait. Reach Out." campaign, which encourages Veterans to reach out for help before their challenges become overwhelming or reach a crisis point.
Faith-Based Approaches to Mental Health
Our toolkit for faith communities provides courses, guides, and content for faith leaders to complement community outreach and faith teachings.
Trending Content
Download these popular videos, graphics, and more to start a dialogue today.
5 Things Your Child Needs to Hear | Social Graphic
Share this graphic on your social channels to remind adults how they can build kids' confidence and keep them feeling safe, heard, and supported.
Below is the suggested social copy to use when sharing this image:
Instagram & Facebook
How we speak to our children matters. Here are some ideas to keep in your toolbox to empower them, build their confidence, and support their emotional wellbeing!
For more tips, visit @SoundItOutTogether + SoundItOutTogether.org! #SoundItOut
Instagram/Facebook Stories
Use 'sticker' feature to add a link to http://www.SoundItOutTogether.org
Twitter
How we speak to our children matters. Here are some ideas to keep in your toolbox to empower them and support their emotional wellbeing! Find more at SoundItOutTogether.org. #SoundItOut
Below is the suggested social copy to use when sharing this image:
Instagram & Facebook
How we speak to our children matters. Here are some ideas to keep in your toolbox to empower them, build their confidence, and support their emotional wellbeing!
For more tips, visit @SoundItOutTogether + SoundItOutTogether.org! #SoundItOut
Instagram/Facebook Stories
Use 'sticker' feature to add a link to http://www.SoundItOutTogether.org
How we speak to our children matters. Here are some ideas to keep in your toolbox to empower them and support their emotional wellbeing! Find more at SoundItOutTogether.org. #SoundItOut
Share this graphic on your social channels to remind adults how they can build kids' confidence and keep them feeling safe, heard, and supported.
Below is the suggested social copy to use when sharing this image:
Instagram & Facebook
How we speak to our children matters. Here are some ideas to keep in your toolbox to empower them, build their confidence, and support their emotional wellbeing!
For more tips, visit @SoundItOutTogether + SoundItOutTogether.org! #SoundItOut
Instagram/Facebook Stories
Use 'sticker' feature to add a link to http://www.SoundItOutTogether.org
Twitter
How we speak to our children matters. Here are some ideas to keep in your toolbox to empower them and support their emotional wellbeing! Find more at SoundItOutTogether.org. #SoundItOut
Below is the suggested social copy to use when sharing this image:
Instagram & Facebook
How we speak to our children matters. Here are some ideas to keep in your toolbox to empower them, build their confidence, and support their emotional wellbeing!
For more tips, visit @SoundItOutTogether + SoundItOutTogether.org! #SoundItOut
Instagram/Facebook Stories
Use 'sticker' feature to add a link to http://www.SoundItOutTogether.org
How we speak to our children matters. Here are some ideas to keep in your toolbox to empower them and support their emotional wellbeing! Find more at SoundItOutTogether.org. #SoundItOut
Self Care Menu | Social Graphic
Self-care can take many forms, so mix it up! Share this graphic to give your community new ways to ease their minds, unwind, and care for themselves.
Below is the suggested social copy to use when sharing this image:
Instagram & Facebook
As parents and caregivers, it’s okay to give ourselves the space and time to tend to our own needs.
For more on emotional wellbeing, visit @SoundItOutTogether + SoundItOutTogether.org! #SoundItOut
Instagram/Facebook Stories
Use 'sticker' feature to add a link to http://www.SoundItOutTogether.org
Twitter
As parents and caregivers, it’s okay to give ourselves the space and time to tend to our own needs.
For more on emotional wellbeing, visit @SoundItOutTogether + @SoundIt_Out. #SoundItOut
Below is the suggested social copy to use when sharing this image:
Instagram & Facebook
As parents and caregivers, it’s okay to give ourselves the space and time to tend to our own needs.
For more on emotional wellbeing, visit @SoundItOutTogether + SoundItOutTogether.org! #SoundItOut
Instagram/Facebook Stories
Use 'sticker' feature to add a link to http://www.SoundItOutTogether.org
As parents and caregivers, it’s okay to give ourselves the space and time to tend to our own needs.
For more on emotional wellbeing, visit @SoundItOutTogether + @SoundIt_Out. #SoundItOut
Self-care can take many forms, so mix it up! Share this graphic to give your community new ways to ease their minds, unwind, and care for themselves.
Below is the suggested social copy to use when sharing this image:
Instagram & Facebook
As parents and caregivers, it’s okay to give ourselves the space and time to tend to our own needs.
For more on emotional wellbeing, visit @SoundItOutTogether + SoundItOutTogether.org! #SoundItOut
Instagram/Facebook Stories
Use 'sticker' feature to add a link to http://www.SoundItOutTogether.org
Twitter
As parents and caregivers, it’s okay to give ourselves the space and time to tend to our own needs.
For more on emotional wellbeing, visit @SoundItOutTogether + @SoundIt_Out. #SoundItOut
Below is the suggested social copy to use when sharing this image:
Instagram & Facebook
As parents and caregivers, it’s okay to give ourselves the space and time to tend to our own needs.
For more on emotional wellbeing, visit @SoundItOutTogether + SoundItOutTogether.org! #SoundItOut
Instagram/Facebook Stories
Use 'sticker' feature to add a link to http://www.SoundItOutTogether.org
As parents and caregivers, it’s okay to give ourselves the space and time to tend to our own needs.
For more on emotional wellbeing, visit @SoundItOutTogether + @SoundIt_Out. #SoundItOut
Un Cafecito Sin Nervios with Vme TV | Video
The Ad Council partnered with MANA, a Latina organization, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, and Vme TV to host an intimate panel discussion to empower parents and caregivers of middle schoolers to have meaningful conversations with their children about their overall mental well-being.
Watch the video on YouTube and share with parents and caregivers in your community.
Watch the video on YouTube and share with parents and caregivers in your community.
The Ad Council partnered with MANA, a Latina organization, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, and Vme TV to host an intimate panel discussion to empower parents and caregivers of middle schoolers to have meaningful conversations with their children about their overall mental well-being.
Watch the video on YouTube and share with parents and caregivers in your community.
Watch the video on YouTube and share with parents and caregivers in your community.
Menú de Autocuidado | Imágenes sociales
El autocuidado puede tomar muchas formas, ¡así que cambiale! Comparte esta gráfica para compartir con tu comunidad nuevas formas de tranquilizarse, relajarse y cuidar de sí mismos.
Below is the suggested social copy to use when sharing this image:
Instagram & Facebook
Como padre o cuidador, puede ser muy difícil encontrar tiempo para uno mismo. Practicar la autocompasión y el autocuidado es una forma de cuidarnos a nosotros mismos, a nuestros hijos y a los demás.
Visita @SoundItOutTogether o EscuchandoSentimientos.org
#SoundItOut
Instagram/Facebook Stories
Use 'sticker' feature to add a link to http://www.EscuchandoSentimientos.org
Twitter
Como padre o cuidador, puede ser muy difícil encontrar tiempo para uno mismo. Practicar la autocompasión y el autocuidado es una forma de cuidarnos a nosotros mismos, a nuestros hijos y a los demás.
Visita @SoundIt_Out o EscuchandoSentimientos.org #SoundItOut
Below is the suggested social copy to use when sharing this image:
Instagram & Facebook
Como padre o cuidador, puede ser muy difícil encontrar tiempo para uno mismo. Practicar la autocompasión y el autocuidado es una forma de cuidarnos a nosotros mismos, a nuestros hijos y a los demás.
Visita @SoundItOutTogether o EscuchandoSentimientos.org
#SoundItOut
Instagram/Facebook Stories
Use 'sticker' feature to add a link to http://www.EscuchandoSentimientos.org
Como padre o cuidador, puede ser muy difícil encontrar tiempo para uno mismo. Practicar la autocompasión y el autocuidado es una forma de cuidarnos a nosotros mismos, a nuestros hijos y a los demás.
Visita @SoundIt_Out o EscuchandoSentimientos.org #SoundItOut
El autocuidado puede tomar muchas formas, ¡así que cambiale! Comparte esta gráfica para compartir con tu comunidad nuevas formas de tranquilizarse, relajarse y cuidar de sí mismos.
Below is the suggested social copy to use when sharing this image:
Instagram & Facebook
Como padre o cuidador, puede ser muy difícil encontrar tiempo para uno mismo. Practicar la autocompasión y el autocuidado es una forma de cuidarnos a nosotros mismos, a nuestros hijos y a los demás.
Visita @SoundItOutTogether o EscuchandoSentimientos.org
#SoundItOut
Instagram/Facebook Stories
Use 'sticker' feature to add a link to http://www.EscuchandoSentimientos.org
Twitter
Como padre o cuidador, puede ser muy difícil encontrar tiempo para uno mismo. Practicar la autocompasión y el autocuidado es una forma de cuidarnos a nosotros mismos, a nuestros hijos y a los demás.
Visita @SoundIt_Out o EscuchandoSentimientos.org #SoundItOut
Below is the suggested social copy to use when sharing this image:
Instagram & Facebook
Como padre o cuidador, puede ser muy difícil encontrar tiempo para uno mismo. Practicar la autocompasión y el autocuidado es una forma de cuidarnos a nosotros mismos, a nuestros hijos y a los demás.
Visita @SoundItOutTogether o EscuchandoSentimientos.org
#SoundItOut
Instagram/Facebook Stories
Use 'sticker' feature to add a link to http://www.EscuchandoSentimientos.org
Como padre o cuidador, puede ser muy difícil encontrar tiempo para uno mismo. Practicar la autocompasión y el autocuidado es una forma de cuidarnos a nosotros mismos, a nuestros hijos y a los demás.
Visita @SoundIt_Out o EscuchandoSentimientos.org #SoundItOut
Explore More Mental Health Outreach Initiatives
CRISIS RESOURCES
If you or someone you know needs help, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for 24/7 free and confidential support.