Nurturing Resilience: How Latine Values Support Kids’ Mental Health

Latine youth in the U.S. often face higher risks for mental health concerns due to systemic barriers, such as discrimination, poverty and limited access to culturally informed care groups.

But there’s good news: the cultural values and traditions of the Latine community can serve to protect Latine youth from these stressors and result in positive mental health outcomes for Latine youth.

Cultural Values and Strengths That Support Latine Youth Mental Health

• Familismo. Familismo emphasizes loyalty, dedication and closeness between family members. It means prioritizing each other’s needs, spending time together and supporting each other emotionally. Research shows Familismo can help youth feel grounded, valued and understood. Feeling close to extended family members also means more role models and a wider safety net if kids need help.

• Personalismo and community. Making warm, personal connections with the people you meet and prioritizing your friends and neighbors are important in the Latine community. This can look like taking the time to talk to the cashier or someone in line with you at your local grocery store, inviting your neighbor or coworker to join a family cook out, etc.
  
  Modeling these social skills for your children can help them learn strong interpersonal skills that will serve them for life. In addition, having people they trust in their broader community can help youth feel less isolated, give them a sense of identity and belonging beyond their family, and means more people you and your child can lean on in times of need.
• Spirituality and religion. Spiritual practices and religious beliefs can provide comfort, purpose and structure for many people. Whether it's through prayer, attending religious services or celebrating spiritual traditions, these practices provide a sense of hope, meaning and the feeling we are part of something bigger. These practices can help youth navigate stress and uncertainty during difficult times.
• Acceptance coping. Acceptance is an effective coping strategy often used in the Latine community when stressors are outside of our control (e.g., global events, tragedy). Accepting that something is beyond our control can be frustrating and scary, but it can reduce stress and promote mental health in the right circumstances. Acceptance coping can look like relying on your faith or belief that God has a plan, reassuring yourself that you have the strength to get through difficult things, or reminding yourself that you cannot change the past or control others.

How Latine Caregivers Can Build Protective Factors in Kids

Latine parents and caregivers play a critical role in nurturing these cultural strengths in their children. Here are ways to support your child’s mental health:

• Teach and celebrate cultural traditions.
  • Share stories, recipes, dances and holidays with your children that reflect your family’s heritage.
  • Teach children about their ancestors and roots.
  • These strategies help kids feel more connected to their family and spirituality, foster pride, and help kids build a strong, resilient identity.
• Create new family traditions.
  • Plan regular family meals, weekly game or movie nights, and annual family events to create comforting routines and ensure dedicated time to being together.
  • Simple practices such as sharing your highs and lows of the day over dinner or before bed can be grounding for your child and strengthen your relationship.
  • These build the value of Familismo through quality time.
• Encourage community involvement.
  • Enroll children in community centers, sports teams church groups, or youth programs that serve Latine families.
  • These spaces often celebrate cultural identity and provide mentorship, fostering confidence and social skills in a culturally affirming environment.
  • This strategy promotes Personalismo and creates a sense of belonging.
• Involve youth in helping others.
  • Volunteer at church, help a neighbor or organize family events to teach responsibility and build a sense of purpose and connection.
  • These shared experiences can deepen family and community ties while reinforcing values of service and empathy.
  • These strategies encourage Personalismo and connection to community, and can be an avenue for teaching religious or family values.
• Model coping through faith or meaning.
  • Share with your children how you use prayer, storytelling or another practice to find strength, hope and resilience during difficult times.
    • Tell your child family stories, religious stories, or sayings that align with your values and have important messages about how to get through difficult times. For example, a commonly shared proverb is: “Please give me the serenity to accept what cannot be changed, the courage to change what can be changed, and the wisdom to know the one from the other."
  • This can teach them how to use acceptance and spirituality to cope with challenges in life.

Latine cultures have many strengths that can support kids’ mental health. Modeling and teaching those traditions and values helps your child develop a positive identity, resilience, and healthy coping skills.