The struggle for mental well-being knows no language, and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is stepping up its efforts to reach the Hispanic/Latinx community with vital support. On Thursday, March 13 from 6 to 7 p.m., a live Spanish-language Cafecito along with a tele-town hall will be hosted to delve into mental health resources and support accessible to North Carolinians of all ages. According to a recent announcement by NCDHHS, Director Kelly Crosbie and other key figures in the field of mental health will be participators, tackling issues of depression, anxiety, and providing guidance in times of mental health crises.
Statistics highlight a troubling reality: more than a third of high school students in North Carolina have felt sad or hopeless—a sentiment echoed by nearly one in three middle school students. And the state's adults are not spared, with nearly one in four reporting symptoms of anxiety or depression. These figures mirror a national trend among Hispanic adults, where more than one in three have expressed experiencing such symptoms.
During the upcoming live stream of the Cafecito and tele-town hall — viewers can tune in via NCDHHS's Facebook and YouTube channels — participants can inquire directly about the mental health challenges they face. Those preferring to listen in and ask questions by phone can do so by dialing 855-756-7520 Ext. 119684#. Panelists, including Carolina Siliceo Perez and Dr. Cesiah Hernandez, will share strategies for improving mental well-being, accessing mental health services in North Carolina, and particularly, how to obtain support in Spanish.
North Carolinians in distress are encouraged to utilize the NCDHHS Crisis Services, which promises non-judgmental, confidential, and compassionate care. The crisis services webpage, available in both English and Spanish, provides a lifeline to those in need through a searchable map to locate community crisis centers, and mobile crisis teams that can be found using a zip code search. Anyone feeling overwhelmed, in a mental health crisis, or simply needing someone to talk to is reassured that "NC crisis services are here to help," as per the NCDHHS announcement.
