Nevada nonprofit pushes for youth mental health change in Latino communities

LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — There is a growing concern about youth mental health across Nevada, and a local nonprofit is pushing for change in one community.

In many Latino households, talking about mental health is not always the easiest conversation.

But as Hope Means Nevada says, breaking that silence is where the change begins.

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Conversations about mental health may be growing, but in Latino households, they are still not happening. Hope Means Nevada is a nonprofit focused on preventing teen suicide and improving youth mental health across the state.

Nevada ranks last in youth mental health

Executive Director Janna Velasco said here in Nevada the stakes are high.

“I think all the data proves that our work is important and imperative and really urgent, because Mental Health America just reported us last, 51st,” Velasco said.

That ranking, measuring things like depression, hopelessness and suicide attempts, puts Nevada at the bottom nationwide.

Within that, some communities are being hit even harder.

“Latinas, in particular, female Hispanic youth, reports 10% higher rates of suicide attempts than their white peers,” Velasco said.

Stigma persists despite family support

Velasco said that the data point surprised her at first.

“I thought that those numbers would report less. I thought that the family support, and my husband is Colombian, and nothing is better than spending time with my married family. They’re just so loving and close and just pour so much love on the kids and hugs and celebration and music and great food, et cetera. I thought it would be the opposite. But what is present is stigma,” Velasco said.

Velasco said that is why it is important to have uncomfortable conversations until they get comfortable.

“Really, having a preventative conversation with your teen, just like you might run through a fire escape route, or how to beware of strangers. It’s a safety plan for teens that really needs to happen. And parents should just start the conversation,” Velasco said.

Velasco said a lot of crisis moments happen between midnight and 6 a.m. But help is always available. The 988 Lifeline is free, 24/7, and offered in multiple languages.

Hope Means Nevada will be hosting a mental health wellness walk in a few weeks.

To learn more about how to join, visit their official website.

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