The Need for Accessible Health Care Coverage

Health care should be cost-free, as high medical expenses have negatively impacted many families throughout the United States. Affordable health care for everyone would allow people to seek medical services without the constant worry of financial strain. Personally, my family, community, and I have experienced the repercussions of expensive health care, often struggling to afford necessary exams and medications.

Many of the communities I am part of lack the financial and social resources needed to cover health care costs. Living in a low-income neighborhood in Los Angeles, I have witnessed people endure unbearable pain simply because they cannot afford a doctor’s visit. The cost of basic medical procedures—such as blood tests and receiving results—can be overwhelming, forcing many to forgo necessary care. Additionally, I have observed the socioeconomic disparities faced by those relying on Medi-Cal or having no health insurance.

These disparities extend to limited access to mental health, dental care, and treatment for severe illnesses. While some treatments may be partially covered, patients often must pay out-of-pocket to receive adequate care. This issue affects families, college students, and individuals who lack the financial resources to secure health coverage. In California, Medi-Cal imposes significant limitations on mental health services, often failing to treat these concerns with the seriousness they deserve. There is a shortage of health care providers specializing in mental health within low-income communities, and even when care is available, it can be difficult to find therapists who understand a patient’s specific cultural and medical needs. The stigma surrounding mental health treatment—from youth to the elderly—has further prevented many from receiving the assistance they need. Low-income individuals who cannot afford private therapy sessions rely on accessible mental health services, yet these resources remain inadequate.

Health care must be more accessible to low-income communities throughout Los Angeles. Primary care providers must listen to and address the needs of their patients. Prescription medications should be covered to ensure individuals can maintain both their mental and physical well-being. Additionally, health care coverage should extend to in-state and out-of-state college students, regardless of residency status. Accessible health care should not be a privilege reserved for those who can afford it; it is a fundamental right. Everyone deserves to be heard and cared for by medical professionals, prioritizing their physical and mental health.

Elias, Lesly, CA

Breaking Barriers: The Fight for Mental Health Equity in Latinx Communities

Growing up in a Latinx household, mental health was rarely discussed—and when it was, it carried stigma. Anxiety was dismissed as “nervios,” depression as “flojera,” and therapy? That was something for “other people,” not us. But I witnessed firsthand how these unspoken struggles weighed on family members, friends, and even myself. When stress became unbearable, we were expected to push through rather than seek help. The idea of prioritizing mental health was foreign—not because we didn’t suffer, but because the resources simply weren’t there.

This reality extends far beyond my family; it reflects a larger systemic issue. Latinx students at predominantly white institutions (PWIs), like myself, often experience overwhelming imposter syndrome, financial stress, and cultural isolation. Yet university mental health services remain understaffed, underfunded, and disconnected from the students they aim to serve. Long wait times, a shortage of bilingual therapists, and financial barriers make it nearly impossible for many to access support. The result? Students suffer in silence, academic performance declines, and the cycle of mental health neglect continues.

As a first-generation Mexican American and a researcher studying the intersection of belonging, imposter syndrome, and mental health outcomes, I see this crisis from both a personal and academic perspective. I know what it’s like to sit in a classroom and feel like I don’t belong, despite my qualifications. I understand the hesitation to seek therapy when mental health care was never normalized at home. But I also know that structural change is possible—if we push for it.

Universities, especially Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), must invest in mental health resources tailored to Latinx students. This means hiring diverse counselors, expanding financial assistance for therapy, and integrating mental health support into academic spaces. It also means fostering a campus climate where students of color don’t feel like outsiders but instead feel valued and seen.

Mental health should never be an afterthought. It’s time to dismantle the stigma, fight for accessible care, and create environments where Latinx students can thrive—not just academically but emotionally, because no one should have to navigate their struggles alone.

Jimenez, Katherine, CA