A Charlotte nonprofit, Despierta, is striving to improve access to mental health support for Hispanic girls and women, amid growing concerns about mental health treatment disparities. September, which marks both Suicide Prevention Month and Hispanic Heritage Month, has highlighted the increasing need for mental health services as more Latinos settle in the Charlotte area.
Read More
Founded in 2020 by Juliana Lozano, Despierta offers bilingual mental health programs tailored for young Latinas. Lozano emphasizes the importance of providing culturally relevant and accessible services for Hispanic families. "For too long, access to bilingual services as well as services that are culturally rooted have not been available for our families, right?" she stated, underscoring the significance of representation in mental health support.
Since its inception, Despierta has grown to assist over 3,000 individuals, indicating a strong demand for mental health dialogue within the community. "It just goes to show that the need is there, right?" Lozano remarked, recognizing the importance of equipping individuals with tools and knowledge to address mental health issues.
Despierta runs three key programs: one for young mothers, one for girls in grades six through twelve which operates in eight Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools serving over 150 students, and a third for the parents of those students. Lozano noted, "As a young Latina myself, I went through certain things in my life, and I didn’t necessarily have the words for it. If we can teach someone at a young age and plant that seed, it’s imperative in helping them grow."
National statistics underscore the relevance of Despierta’s mission. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that in 2023, high school Latinas were 17% more likely than their peers to report suicide attempts. Additionally, in 2024, Hispanic adults were found to be 28% less likely than the overall U.S. population to have received mental health treatment.
Lozano acknowledged the stigma surrounding mental health that often prevents individuals from seeking help. "There’s such a huge stigma related to mental health in accessing these services. Normalizing that, it just means that maybe you’re going through a hard time in your life and there is help out there and you don’t have to go through this alone," she said.
The organization has adapted its services in response to heightened anxiety stemming from recent immigration policy discussions, offering more online resources for those hesitant to leave their homes. More information about Despierta can be found on their website.