Latinx communities, like so many communities across the globe, often face cultural barriers when exploring mental health. To provide a supportive space to help reduce stigmas and promote wellness for Latinx students, The HUB Cultural Center has created the series Being Latinx; Destigmatizing Mental Health in the Latinx Community.
Being Latinx is an informal, supportive space for students to explore mental health, cultivate networks of mutual support, promote self-care, and enhance interconnectedness within the diverse Latinx community through conversation. The series is a collaboration between The HUB and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and staff from both departments are present to offer support and provide resources.
“It was really imperative for us to collaborate with CAPS for Being Latinx,” says Shelly Gomez, Senior HUB Program Executive. “It’s important for students to not only meet a CAPS professional that also identifies as Latinx or Hispanic but to do so in a way that helps ease the tension and stigma surrounding mental health and encourages them to continue the conversation. That’s our hope with this series.”
Being Latinx is open to SSU students. This semester, the series is hosted on Zoom, and the next event is on November 23 from noon to 1 p.m. Students can find the link to join here. Although this event is virtual, The HUB is open 7 a.m. to midnight every day, with staff in the office Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and students are encouraged to drop in and visit.
“The HUB is a space for students to meet other students and build community in an informal setting. Whether they come in to hang out or study, attend one of our events, or drop in to chat with one of our staff, we’re here for them. The HUB is here to provide support and resources and help students find their community on campus,” says Gomez.
More information on Being Latinx and other HUB programs and events can be found on The HUB’s website.