Yolanda and Roman addressed mental-illness stigma, a known barrier preventing Latino patients from receiving adequate care. They first identified misconceptions preventing patients at their site from seeking mental healthcare and then shared culturally-sensitive mental health education to address these misconceptions. Yolanda and Roman regularly visited the CHHC to gather information regarding specific stigmas patients have against receiving mental healthcare. With this information, they created a ‘fotonovela’ to help destigmatize mental healthcare for CHHC patients. Over 70 patients received their culturally-adapted and entertaining mental health education. They also answered questions regarding mental health for CHHC patients and called those who scheduled their first mental health clinic appointment.

They asked the patients of CHHC for their feedback on the ‘fotonovela.’ Here are some of their responses:

“I didn’t know depression could present with so many different symptoms outside of just being sad. I think what I learned from this is to not let myself and people that are struggling with depression become isolated.”

“The fotonovela was interesting and I liked it. I already had an idea about mental health because my son has depression and takes medications for it. I think it helps him.”