The need to find a space where we belong, where we can be our own selves, use our voices for the greater good, and build growth-fostering relationships that move us toward a shared mission was the backdrop for the creation of the Latinx Mental Health & Social Justice Institute. Creating such spaces has always been a dream of mine, and Antioch University has afforded me the opportunity to turn that dream into action.
The founding of the Coalition for the Common Good has emerged during a time of great need, when we are being called into collective justice action. Establishing a coalition of institutions committed to justice and the common good is responding to a call for strategic partnerships, courageous leadership, unapologetic action, and tangible support for those who have historically been oppressed. With that understanding, it is my hope that the Latinx Institute will grow in strength, impact, and reach as it becomes an integral asset to the Coalition and aligned with the vision for the future and in support of the Latinx community.
The Latinx Institute was founded in 2021, with the goal of providing leadership for community-engaged research, education, and service through capacity building and authentic partnerships, and by creating and supporting initiatives aimed at improving the mental health and well-being of Latinx communities.
Our signature event, an annual symposium on themes around Latinx mental health and social justice, has grown since its conception from just eight presentations (four in English and four in Spanish) at a one-day event to last year’s two-day event with 20 presentations. Presenters and participants have come from the United States and Latin American countries, including Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and our partners in Honduras. Our annual symposium brings together our vision of creating community, supporting research and training, and above all, highlighting the voices of Latinx professionals and leaders working towards the well-being of the community.
One of the more significant moments of the symposium for me is when I get to see all the pictures and names of Latinx/e professionals that will be sharing their expertise in a joint, welcoming and supportive space. A space to honor and celebrate professionals who look like me, speak like me, and are just as passionate as I am about their work. Representation matters.
I am humbled by the number of presenters and participants that gather at this event, their enthusiasm, and their desire to learn and be in community. It is this unwavering energy that drives us to continue with our efforts. It is a testament to the transformation of our dream into meaningful actions. Instead of believing that a dream comes true, especially considering the enormous weight of the systems of oppression and discrimination that are in place, working incessantly against us, I believe that we can transform our dreams into attainable goals and meaningful actions. The signature event, along with the rest of the initiatives of the Institute, including research projects, global connections, and strategic partnerships, is an example of these types of actions.
Moving forward, our goals revolve around visibility, sustainability, and impact. We would like to strengthen the Institute’s initiatives, expand our reach and impact, increase visibility, build more strategic partnerships, secure funding, and establish sustainability strategies. We will continue to dream big with a nationally recognized, well-funded, globally engaged, sustainable Institute. We want to continue working towards becoming and serving as the epicenter for creating, promoting, celebrating, and supporting initiatives aimed at improving the mental health and well-being of Latine/x communities, including the preparation of future bicultural/bilingual counselors.
We invite you to learn more, get involved, and support our initiatives at latinxinstitute.antioch.edu or email us at [email protected]
Director & Co-Founder/ Latinx Mental Health & Social Justice Institute
Core Faculty / Associate Professor
School of Counseling, Psychology, and Therapy
Antioch University
