“No Estás Loco”: Mental Health Myths in the Latino Community—and How to Break the Stigma
A Therapist’s Perspective on Healing, Culture, and Speaking Up
If you’ve ever heard phrases like “Eso es cosa de locos” or “Tú lo que necesitas es rezar” when talking about mental health, you’re not alone. Across Latinx families—especially here in Miami, Aventura, and Coral Gables—mental health often carries a heavy stigma rooted in cultural myths, silence, and generational narratives.
But things are changing. More Latinos are showing up in therapy, talking openly about depression and anxiety, and breaking cycles of silence. At Healing Space Therapy Collective, we’re proud to support this shift with bilingual, culturally responsive care—because mental health isn’t “locura.” It’s liberation.
Common Mental Health Myths in Latino Culture
Let’s talk about the phrases many of us grew up hearing:
“Eso es de locos” (“That’s for crazy people.”) – equates therapy with insanity
“Los hombres no lloran” (“Men don’t cry.”)– reinforces emotional suppression, especially for men
“Solo los débiles necesitan ayuda” (“Only weak people need help.”) – frames therapy as weakness
“No le digas a nadie” (“Don’t tell anyone.”) – enforces secrecy around suffering
“Reza y se te pasa” (“Pray and it’ll go away.”) – overlooks emotional pain with spiritual bypassing
While these sayings are often passed down with love and protection, they can unintentionally create shame, silence, and suffering.
The Truth: Latinos Deserve Mental Health Support—Without Judgment
Here’s what we know as therapists:
Anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief exist in every culture
Emotional pain is not weakness, it’s human
You can be strong and need support at the same time
Therapy and spirituality can co-exist—one doesn’t replace the other
Talking to a professional doesn’t mean your family failed—it means you’re taking care of yourself
Why It's So Hard to Talk About It
Many Latinos were raised in collectivist cultures, where family comes first, privacy is sacred, and suffering is often endured—not shared. This can make it difficult to say:
“I’m not okay.”
“I think I need help.”
“I’m feeling overwhelmed.”
“I want something different for myself.”
But change begins with one voice. Your voice.
How Therapy Supports the Latino Community
At Healing Space Therapy Collective, our bilingual therapists offer a judgment-free space to explore:
Intergenerational trauma and family roles
Immigration-related stress and identity exploration
Relationship struggles, boundaries, and caregiving burnout
Grief, depression, anxiety, and emotional regulation
The pressure to be “perfect” or carry everything silently
We see you. We honor your culture, your story, and your desire to break cycles without abandoning your roots.
We offer therapy in-person in Aventura and Coral Gables, and virtually across Florida—in both English and Spanish.
Talking to Abuela: How to Explain Therapy in Culturally Grounded Ways
If you’re the first in your family to go to therapy, here’s how you might explain it:
“Estoy aprendiendo a cuidarme emocionalmente, como ir al doctor pero para la mente.” (“I’m learning to take care of my emotional health, like going to the doctor, but for the mind.”)
“No es que algo esté mal conmigo, solo estoy procesando cosas que nunca tuve espacio para hablar.” (“It’s not that something is wrong with me, I’m just processing things I never had space to talk about.”)
“Estoy rompiendo patrones que no quiero pasarle an mis hijos.” (“I’m breaking patterns I don’t want to pass on to my children.”)
Use language that connects to values your family already holds—healing, strength, family, and faith.
Let’s Break the Silence Together
Mental health is not just a trend—it’s part of our well-being, our future, and our families.
If you’re ready to start healing, or just want to understand yourself better, we’re here for you.
💬 Schedule a free consultation
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