Hispanic Heritage and Suicide Prevention

CELEBRATING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

September 15 marked the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month and is a significant date because it marks the week of Independence Day for many Latin American countries. According to Chasing Justice, many people in the Latina community (especially those most marginalized) have moved away from the word Hispanic and prefer the terms Latino, Latina, Latine, Latinx, and Latin when referring to themselves. 

Celebrating the Latinx community, not only September 15-October 15, but all year long, is an important practice of solidarity, connection, and justice. Chasing Justice reminds us, yet again, that some of the ways we can practice this kind of solidarity, connection, and justice are: applauding Latinx beauty, absorbing Latinx resilience, acknowledging Latinx struggles, and advocating for Latinx humanity. 

HELPING THE PEOPLE OF PUERTO RICO

One of the most important ways we can help people in the Latinx community TODAY is by amplifying and uplifting any call to action that is related to emergency services or emergency response for the people of Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Fiona. Follow CPD Action and the Center for Popular Democracy to learn more about how you can donate and help. 

RECOGNIZING, VALIDATING, and ENCOURAGING LOVED ONES

September is also National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Mental health is greatly affected by many factors in addition to a person’s brain chemistry, such as access to food, water, and shelter, as well as systemic racism, childhood trauma, and more. We live in a vast ecosystem of need, and one of the main ways you can help prevent suicide is by checking on your loved ones, reminding them they are NOT a burden, and sharing with them things you love about them. 

Encourage others to do the same. Make it a regular practice to recognize, validate, and encourage others, not only in September, but all year long. 

FOLLOWING ACCOUNTS TO LISTEN and LEARN

Finally, follow accounts like Real Depression Project, Asians for Mental Health, and Black Mental Wellness to learn more.