This year’s National Hispanic Heritage Month theme, “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future,” invites us to reflect on the resilience and cultural richness of Hispanic and Latinx communities.
It also encourages us to envision a future in which Hispanic and Latinx people can access the quality mental health support they need to thrive.
Calm Health breaks through barriers to help underserved populations get the mental health support they need to thrive.
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Hispanic and Latinx communities face barriers to mental health support
Hispanic and Latinx communities face unequal access to treatment and quality mental health care, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). In the US in 2024, 47% of Hispanic or Latinx people who had any mental illness in the past year received treatment compared to 59% of White people. Similarly, 65% of Hispanic or Latinx people with a serious mental illness received treatment in the past year compared to 75% of White people.
Language, cultural differences, and a reluctance within their communities to talk about mental health are some of the barriers to quality care, which further perpetuate mental health stigma. It’s a vicious cycle that ultimately puts Hispanic and Latinx people at risk for serious and chronic mental health conditions.
When Calm asked Hispanic and Latinx people what their employers could do to better support their mental health needs, about half of respondents said they wish their employer offered access to self-care break rooms at the workplace. They also said they wish they had access to mental health support that aligns with their culture and identity.
Calm resources featuring Hispanic and Latinx artists
In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we’ve curated a selection of culturally relevant content to help Hispanic and Latinx people address stress, anxiousness, and sleep issues before they escalate into more serious mental and physical health conditions.
These resources, available in English and Spanish, are easy to access and integrate into daily routines. And because they feature well-known Hispanic and Latinx artists and influencers, they also help break down the mental health stigma.
- Adventures in Puerto Rico (Sleep Story)
Renowned songwriter, actor, director, and producer Lin-Manuel Miranda leads listeners on a dreamy expedition through the one-of-a-kind wonders Puerto Rico. - Camino de Santiago (Sleep Story)
For 36 minutes, you’ll be transported to the landscapes of northern Spain, walking along an ancient and storied trail with Ben Cura, a British Argentinean actor, musician, and director. - Walk Away Stress (Mindfulness)
Join Dr. Eric López on a series of short walks—a walk in nature, a dog walk, and other everyday walks—designed to help listeners find peace in the moment. Dr. Eric López Maya is the founder and director of the Mexican Institute for Mindfulness. - Tour Your Senses (Mindfulness)
Dr. Eric López Maya helps listeners connect with their five senses and become more present. - Stop and Connect (Breathing Exercise)
Dr. Eric López Maya invites listeners to take a moment to check in with their breath and their body.
Calm Health combats barriers to provide personalized support
All Calm programs linked above are also available in the Calm Health app. Integrated with health plan and employer benefits ecosystems, Calm Health provides a personalized consumer experience designed to break through barriers for those seeking mental health support. It begins with an in-app mental health screening, paired with user inputs on physical health conditions and life experiences. Based on results, users receive tailored recommendations, including in-app mindfulness and sleep content, psychologist-developed digital programs or existing employer or health plan benefits.
Supporting the well-being of Hispanic and Latinx employees
By breaking down mental health stigma and other barriers to care, we can support Hispanic and Latinx people in feeling their best and carrying forward their heritage with pride and purpose.
Health plans and employers can play an important role by providing culturally relevant mental health tools that help Hispanic and Latinx people reduce stress and anxiousness, get better sleep, and build resilience on a daily basis, before these challenges become more serious mental health conditions.
