Kathleen Avila

As a daughter of immigrants and a second-generation Filipina American, mental health is considered taboo, and reaching out for help is greatly viewed as a sign of weakness. Many of us have internalized the concept of saving face and have been conditioned to believe that anything that could initiate judgment within the community should only be kept within the family unit or completely brushed under the rug. I understand on a fundamental level how the complexities of race, cultural identity, and systemic oppression can shape one’s experiences, relationships, and overall wellness.