IDAHO — A local woman is using social media to raise awareness about mental health in the Spanish speaking community.
Yanira Corvera volunteers for a local Spanish speaking radio station. She uses social media to break the stigma around mental health.
"In our community is taboo. We don't talk about it. We think like if you reach out to a physiologist or a family counselor, there's something wrong with you, "Corvera said.
Corvera hosts online forums to connect educators with Spanish speaking families in the Treasure Valley. Last month, she brought in a Canyon County School counselor to offer tips for families whose children are stressed or anxious about their studies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"How it's affecting the kids, being more stressed. So it was just making parents more aware of and how to teach their kids since they're little to identify their emotions," Corvera said.
The counselor, Cristina Medrano, gave families a resource to practice with their kids.
"I used the Zones of Regulation. It's a curriculum, I didn't create it, but it's very popular. It helps kids express their emotions through color," "Medrano said.
Corvera said the online forums are only the beginning and hope to collaborate with more community members to let Hispanic families know about the different types of available services in the Treasure Valley.
"To (let) our community understand that it's okay to go through struggles, it's okay to have your doubts and also to reach out for help," she said.
