A project that started during the pandemic to provide people with free groceries eventually grew to become Somos Esenciales, a San Francisco Mission District participatory intervention project where community "researchers" are trained to be full-time mental health advocates to promote health equity and lasting change for Native, Latino and Black communities in San Francisco.
As immigration enforcement tightens under the Trump administration, there are a growing number of undocumented Asian immigrants caught in legal limbo — unable to adjust their legal status, return home, or speak openly about their lives.
Tamala Floyd, shaped by childhood trauma, became a therapist to heal others. She advocates for ancestral healing and tailored care, especially for Black women and mothers.
Anxiety spreads across immigrant groups driving some communities into hiding. Fatty Ding Square in Monterey Park has long been a landing spot for migrants from China. These days, the square is much quieter with few people risking coming out in public.
For those suffering from silicosis (mostly immigrants from Latin and Central America) — a deadly disease experienced by cutting, sanding, drilling artificial stone which can cause the inhalation of silica dust leading to the scarring of lungs — the health challenges often come hand-in-hand with a high level of emotional stress.
Dozens of homeless families face evictions due to a controversial city policy that limits family shelter stays to 90 days.
Like many Black teens across the country, Duchess-Angelica Wright struggles to maintain her mental health. As a young Black woman, a member of the LGBTQ community, and a former foster youth, she faces multiple layers of challenges and has attempted suicide three times. Recognizing that systemic barriers thwart many Black youth like Wright from seeking mental health care, community organizations are stepping In to provide support in trying to stem a swelling crisis.
Living in uncertainty, many Vietnamese immigrants, both undocumented and legal residents, face significant mental health challenges that stem from the complex interplay of historical trauma and fears of deportation. Lan Vũ and her son, Anh, struggle to cope with stress and anxiety over their immigration status ever since the new administration took office.
Foreign-born Latinas are at greater risk for postpartum depression than the general population and are less likely to receive treatment due to cultural and language barriers, among other factors. When Stephany Coronado suffered from depression after the birth of her daughter, she was worried she would be perceived as weak or a bad mother. Her story highlights why many Latina mothers are afraid to speak up or ask for help.
