Keeping health coverage affordable and accessible

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.