I'm so happy you're here! On this page, you can learn about me and my story as an immigrant. I also want to share some recommendations of my favorite resources for the Latino community in this space. I hope you keep coming back and that we can stay connected. To stay up to date, join our channel on WhatsApp in Spanish and you can also follow me on Instagram at @arianahoetphd.
When I was 8 years old, I moved from Venezuela to the United States with my family. We lived here for five years while my dad completed his studies and then we returned to Venezuela.
A few years later, we came back to the US. By then, I had attended seven different schools. But it wasn't until that last time, when I was halfway through tenth grade, that I felt an impact on my mental health. At the age of 15, I experienced clinical depression for the first time. My relationship with my parents, our family closeness, the creation of connections at school and a sense of belonging helped me overcome my mental health problems.
This experience led me to become a psychologist. The immigrant children and families I work with have similar stories to mine, often with fewer privileges than I had. My experience allows me to culturally adapt what I learned in school in a unique way.
Now, I can help through The Kids Mental Health Foundation. I love sharing the science of what we know helps children's mental health. Although the Latine community faces many barriers and high risks to their mental health, we also have many strengths that help protect the mental health and well-being of children. I hope that through our work, Latine parents feel empowered to build on those strengths and learn new skills and strategies to support all children as they grow.
We all have the power to support the mental health of the children in our lives. But it's important that we don't wait until we're worried or in crisis to get started.
As parents and family members, we can focus on the mental well-being of our children from infancy. The Kids Mental Health Foundation is here to help you with resources to promote healthy habits, create close relationships and start those difficult conversations with your children.
Join our channel to get a new resource every week sent directly to your phone.
School belonging is one of the best ways we can help protect our children’s mental health as they navigate these stressors during back-to-school season.
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