Nica-Emmanuel Delgado
Nica-Emmanuel Delgado, who uses they/them pronouns, is a sophomore anthropology major with a focus in cultural anthropology and minor in world literature, who attended middle school and high school in Lima, Ohio. They also serve as vice president of the Spanish and Latine Student Association. With little representation for Latinos in the mental health space, they felt it was important to speak up and participate in the campaign.
As I was growing up, my parents went through a long divorce and I was moved across the state. I showed very concerning symptoms of depression and anxiety, and I was very suicidal throughout middle school. So, my dad and my mom put me in therapy.
I dont speak on behalf of all Latino families, but someone in my family, a wonderful person whom I spent a lot of time with growing up, doesnt believe that things like depression, anxiety or ADHD [attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder] are real. Ive heard similar stories from friends of mine who also identify as Latino: that their parents arent very understanding, or their grandparents are very judgmental.
Its definitely a difficult topic to discuss with previous generations, but its also difficult to discuss in the open, because theres not a lot of representation in the media for Latinos in general, but also of us speaking openly about our mental health and our well-being.
Its difficult to share how you are feeling when the people youre around the most dont believe that what youre experiencing is a real thing. Its a challenge to overcome. But Im proud to say that I have overcome it.
I was recommended to a therapist by my guidance counselor at school, and Ive been seeing her for the better part of seven or eight years. Its been great. Shes a regular part of my life; I see her once a month. Especially with people my age, its less like, Oh, youre going to therapy, thats crazy, and more like, Okay, good for you, not for me.
I will say if youre looking for a therapist, obviously get recommendations. But I would stress the importance of in-person therapy appointments. Ive done a couple Zoom appointments and they dont feel as substantial to me, mostly because there are more distractions. And it leaves kind of an unsettling feeling when you remember, Oh, I got all those feelings out while I was in my living room.
But I want therapy to be an available and open option for everybody. Because a lot of people still have some of their own personal feelings towards how they would be seen if they were attending therapy. Its 2023. Weve been through a pandemic, and the economy is crashing, and the world is getting scary. I think having a professional in a neutral space, who can help guide you through your anxieties or whatever youre feeling, I think thats an important resource to be able to have.