The Latino Health Council will hold their annual Latino Mental Health Community Conference on Saturday, April 8, with a current events take on the topic.
“We are still talking about mental health and the importance of being healthy physically and mentally, but we’re going to give it a twist by going over how to remain resilient and strong in light of the current political changes,” said Dr. Patricia Tellez-Giron, the Latino Health Council chair.
The Latino Health Council is a nonprofit made up of 40 key health care organizations and agencies throughout Dane County. For over 20 years, the Latino Health Council has promoted and supported the health and wellbeing of the Madison Latino community through education, advocacy, consulting and networking.
For the past 10 years their Latino Mental health Community Conference has engaged the Latino community and has given them key information and resources that are language and culturally appropriate – resources that would otherwise be inaccessible to them due to their lack of health insurance.
Due to the high amounts of fear, stress, and anxiety the current political climate has put on immigrant communities, this year’s conference will be different.
This year’s event will focus on how to deal with the current political situation. Speakers and workshops will be held to prepare participants and equip them with the necessary skills to be able to cope with the current political situation and adequately take care of their bodies and minds.
“I hope they take away a more positive attitude about what is going on politically,” said Tellez-Giron. “Hopefully, they feel more empowered and ready to take care of themselves and their families. So we are hoping that by them being more prepared, that they will be less stressed and less afraid about what is going on.”
This years conference will be held at Bethel Lutheran Church, from 8 am to 3 pm. Transportation is available. Walk-ins are welcomed, however pre-registration is preferred. People may register online here.
