FTBM Podcast Ep304: Building the Future of Latino Mental Health

Vanessa: [00:00:00] Sometimes these things sound like it's going to be a big lift to do. But when it comes to doing something impacting, like let's create a scholarship so that Latino students in mental health, in the state of New Jersey, can benefit from it. It was as simple as that, and then you just make it happen.

So for listeners and viewers, if you have some idea like that, or something that speaks to you, put your batteries on, as I say, ponte las pilas, and make sure that you go out and just get it done.

You are listening to the Free to Be Mindful podcast, where busy moms get practical tips and real talk conversations to find calm joy in a little more breathing room in everyday life. I'm Vanessa Licensed therapist, mom, coach, and a mom to a tween and toddler. Each week we get honest about motherhood and mindset helping you live with more presence, less pressure without losing your well, you know.

Here we go.

Hello and welcome to the Free To Be [00:01:00] Mindful Podcast. I hope that you're feeling good, looking good, and doing better in this world than you were yesterday. So this episode is a special episode. It's a little bit of a different one because yes, we do have a guest, but it's all within the spirit of Podcasthon, which the Free to Be Mindful podcast is a part of this year.

And that is where every podcast participating is picking a nonprofit or a charity of their choice. Putting them all out there in hopes that you find it in your heart to contribute to something that speaks to you.

And the one that I have chosen is very near and dear to my heart because it comes from the association that I just stepped off being president of, and that is the Latino Mental Health Association of New Jersey.

Now LMHANJ has been in existence for the past 27 years, and it really is truly special to me because I spent six years as part of the executive board in different capacities, and it is something that has such a huge impact on all who are a part [00:02:00] of the association, the work that we do, but now through the Futuro Fund, which is a scholarship program that the association has established and created.

And a person who is very important to making this come to fruition and to reality is Dr. Angela Vargas. Angela is a licensed psychologist and the owner of Via Psychology, an Assessment based practice, currently accepting referrals for immigration and comprehensive psychological evaluations.

She's also the proud inaugural member of the Futuro Fund Board, and in this board, she's helped formalize a scholarship initiative that directly supports graduate students committed to advancing Latinx mental health, which is work that reflects her deep belief in investing in the next generation of culturally responsive clinicians and leaders.

Here we go. 

Angela, welcome to the Free To Be Mindful podcast. I'm so glad you're with us today. 

Angela: Thank you. Thank you for having me. 

Vanessa: My pleasure. And a fun fact for listeners and viewers, because of course [00:03:00] you can catch this on YouTube, is that we've known each other for quite some time because we're both alumna of the College of New Jersey, and of course we were on the Latino Mental Health Association of New Jersey, and we just heard a little bit of your introduction and what you do.

Honestly, I think it's so admirable how much you've given of yourself to the association, everything that you've done for it, I think it's just amazing the impact that the association is making now compared to the roots and where it came from. 

Angela: I mean it is, to see the evolution of it is really incredible.

The association started exclusively for psychologists, we were the Latino Psychological Association of New Jersey, at a time when there was even less representation than there is now. In the late Robert McCormick's basement, with a group of individuals that saw the need. And that pulled together and created our foundation.

And here we are, 26 years later, almost 27 years later, with a completely rebranded association. We now are the Latino Mental Health [00:04:00] Association of New Jersey. Open and embracing of all mental health disciplines. To really, again, with the same spirit, to pull together to see the need for greater voice, greater representation, unity within our community, because we're stronger together. 

Vanessa: Absolutely. It's been beautiful to see where it started, and where it was, and now where it's going. So can you tell us a little bit about the types of things that the association offers its members and the community beyond?

Angela: Yeah. So we're a professional association. Our membership is inclusive of social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, and students all doing the work right, in different capacities -in private practice, in nonprofits at the academic level- aspiring to be in any of those roles, right?

And so we, throughout the year offer different levels of programming that try to meet those different interests, those different roles.

We have two signature events. We have our annual conference coming up [00:05:00] this week. A conference that has been longstanding but has definitely evolved. We are looking forward to hosting a two day conference at the College of New Jersey. And super excited about the lineup. We have a diverse range of topics. Lots of seasoned and experienced individuals coming to speak about things from, immigration stories, to the Afro-Latino experience, to astrology, to EMDR.

So just offering a lot both in terms of content delivery, but also really experiential activities for us to engage in, for us to really pour into ourselves from. So things like yoga and breath work. Just a lot that we're gonna be offering in this conference.

So we're really excited about our keynote speaker this year, Dr. Jennifer Mullen, who will be talking to us about decolonizing therapy, pulling in ancestral roots. Bringing a lot of meaning and collective care into the conversation. So we just have a jam packed agenda with a lot of things that we're excited to be able to offer.

Vanessa: [00:06:00] Yes, I am super excited for the conference. And to think about where it was, I mean, six, seven years ago, which was fantastic. And then of course we went virtual for a long time. But now to have a two day event with, as you said, with so many experiential things, I'm very, very excited for these two days.

And I know when listeners might hear two days at a conference, like, do you people actually find this fun? No, seriously, it is fun. It is definitely long days. But even thinking back to last year- you leave energized. And you leave sight and pumped for the work that you do and of course for the connections that you make. Because there aren't, as you said, it's bigger now, but there aren't that many of us out there. And they're all doing such great things in the world that it's really awesome to network with them in this space. 

Angela: It's one of my favorite parts about this conference is that I get to see people who I only see like in, you know, different snippets of the year. Sometimes only at the conference because of where we're at, [00:07:00] respectively. So it's one of my favorite parts about coming together.

Year after year people talk about the feeling that they leave with. You spoke to this a little bit. This feeling of being in community, of feeling connected, of feeling like they're in a room of people who, see them, get them, understand them. That sense of familia is unique, I think, to our culture and definitely comes to life through this conference.

And then you start to see it in different ways, right? So that's like, the larger gathering, but also in the networking opportunities, and also in the coming together, over breakfast or over lunch, in the sessions themselves, in the happy hour that we'll be hosting on Friday evening.

That feeling, I think is what most people speak to when they attend our conference. 

Vanessa: Absolutely. So that is the one bookend event that we have at the beginning of the year. And then at the end of the year, we have our big. 

Angela: Gala. Yes. 

Vanessa: Very exciting for that. So talk to us a little bit about, this will be the third annual gala in [00:08:00] 2026.

Angela: Yeah, so we started the gala two years ago, coincidentally when we were turning 25 years old. So our first inaugural gala. And it was a hit. And when I talked to you about the feeling that people had when they were there. The sense of community, of celebration, of really being able to lift each other up. That's really what was palpable in the room.

And what came of that gala was scholarships. In our planning, we were really thoughtful about what we wanted to include, who we wanted to honor. And so in thinking about the different components of the gala, one of the things that came up was a scholarship.

So through people's generosity, we were able to raise $8,000, and award two scholarships at the following year's conference. Two, $4,000 scholarships to really deserving individuals, who actually will be graduating this year. 

Vanessa: That is absolutely beautiful. And by the way, if you're not watching this on YouTube, you may want to because you'll see flashing, videos and pictures of the gala as Angela was telling us a little [00:09:00] bit about it.

And I want to also let folks know that it was really as simple as that. We said 25 years. Let's plan a gala. Oh my goodness, it's gonna be a lot of work, but we can totally do it. And we did, and then we said, let's think of a scholarship to go along with that. And I want to bring light to that because sometimes these things that are are very impactful sound like it's going to be a big lift to do. And yes, there were a lot of hours and work and months that went into planning the gala. But when it comes to doing something impacting, like let's create a scholarship so that Latino students in mental health, in the state of New Jersey, can benefit from it. It was as simple as that, and then you just make it happen.

So for listeners and viewers, if you have some idea like that or something that speaks to you, put your batteries on, as I say, ponte las pilas, and make sure that you go out and just get it done, because anybody can have the force within them to make this happen as we did three [00:10:00] years ago to initiate the scholarship.

And then last year you just told us were two winners who are going to be graduating this spring, both beautiful individuals. And then this'll be the second set of scholarships that the Latino Mental Health Association of New Jersey is going to award at this year's conference in just a couple days.

Angela: Yeah. In the first round of applications, we received so many overly qualified individuals, people really interested in giving back to the community, in investing themselves and their future careers in giving back to Latino mental health. And so this year we saw even more so it wasn't an easy decision. But, you know, it's, it's fulfilling. It's fulfilling, it's gratifying to connect with students, to hear their passions, to know that our future is heading in a very positive direction with these, like I said, overly qualified individuals who are doing currently the work. And yeah, and we're excited to be able to award now two additional recipients [00:11:00] $5,000 scholarships.

Vanessa: Two winners getting even more monies than we were able to raise last year, which really speaks to, the dedication and the importance that this scholarship fund has for Latino mental health in the state of New Jersey.

And because we see the importance, we meaning seasoned people who have been in the field, but also people who believe in the cause, then we're giving towards our future, which I'm assuming that was why the name Futuro Fund was built around that concept of the future. Tell us a little bit more about that.

Angela: Yeah, so we awarded the two scholarships and then had the idea of formalizing the scholarship program into the Futuro fund, which, like you said, the name in and of itself speaks to our passion to giving back to our future, to investing in our future. And to really having them feel supported and feel that sense of community that's really lifting them up and holding them up as they get through school.

Our idea is for it to continue to grow in terms [00:12:00] of how much we'll be able to give, how many scholarships we'll be able to give. We believe in representation. And in order to facilitate students getting through, facilitate their financial support, their emotional support, we believe in growing this and, and being able to give back as much as we can. 

Vanessa: Yes, and I appreciate that you mentioned that. Not just financial support, but emotional support. Because there're two very important topics, especially in the day and age that we're living now, folks always need that emotional support and the fact that they can see so many people who have now lived the path that they perhaps want to take and know that it is possible to come from different types of environments, from different types of upbringings and backgrounds. Sometimes they can be first gen students, sometimes not. But to know that there are a lot of other Latinos in this field who do different types of impactful work that the path has been set for them a little bit, depending on which avenue they wanna go down. [00:13:00] That is very impacting for those who are applying and may be potential winners of the scholarship.

And then in addition to that, the financial end, especially in a time now where finances may have been cut from different types of programs. I think that the scholarship even growing now is more important than ever. 

Angela: Yeah, absolutely. When we sit with students and interview them, a lot of them speak to obviously the financial need, the financial support. But also just the excitement about having mentors who understand their stories, who have walked in their footsteps. That is part of the appeal of this scholarship. And that's also part of what impassions us as individuals on the board to really, you know, pour into the Futuro fund, because we know that that emotional support and that connection is almost as valuable as a financial support. 

Vanessa: Yes, and while it's not a requirement, the thing that has been awesome, at least for me to see is then whether it be applicants or the actual [00:14:00] winners, give back to the board, to the Latino mental health space within our state, to give back somehow, especially at a young age. That is what really fuels my passion because then that means that there will be future leaders, not just within the association, but just within the space that we all professionally live. So that's really exciting to see too.

Angela: Yeah. I mean, when I think of pathways in our fields, traditionally we think about therapy. But students currently will be our future individuals in higher ed, at nonprofits, policy makers, decision makers. And so we really want to see these individuals who have that fire in them to give back to the Latinx community, have that understanding and, and have the representation obviously in those roles. That's really important. 

Vanessa: So we talked about the financial support, the emotional support, and as we're talking about them becoming leaders in their own rights as they then [00:15:00] graduate from their different programs, which by the way, they're not only master's level programs, but also doctoral level programs. They can back to the association in different ways. Correct. 

Angela: Connection to the Futuro Fund can also be a stepping stone into the Latino Mental Health Association of New Jersey. I think as students, we are often in the grind. We're going in our day to day. And we're not thinking necessarily the two or three steps ahead of what do we need to be doing at the professional level.

At the professional level, it's important to be connected to professional associations, to be connected to like-minded individuals, to be in the spaces where continuing education happens, where you learn of opportunities either for professional growth, for relationship building. There's so much that happens there, and I don't know that at the student level we're thinking those steps ahead.

And so this is that nice bridge where connecting to the Futuro fund can also get connect to involvement in LMAHNJ and they can [00:16:00] start building a network within other student peers with mentors in the field as they connect to other individuals in the association and even step into leadership roles.

Vanessa: And as someone who has been involved with the association, not just on a general level, but also as an executive board member for all of these years, what has being on the board meant to you?

Angela: It is been familia. It's been my professional familia. Right, family. I started when I was fresh out of my doc program. And so I remember feeling really inspired by being in these meeting rooms with people, I wanna say senior to me, if they're listening, we're not talking age, we're talking experience.

I felt really inspired. It was, it was, that pivotal point where I was stepping out of grad school and stepping into the, the career world. And so that was really inspiring. They are now great friends and continue to be mentors. And so the evolution of those relationships have been really meaningful for me.

And so it's, it's really held a [00:17:00] space for me in different ways, in different capacities over the past 10 years. It's it nurtured colleagues that I now call on on a regular basis. Friendships, lasting friendships. And so to, to really sum it up, it's been a professional family, that I feel really fortunate to have been a part of, to have been able to contribute to, and to continue to, because it doesn't end beyond the board, right.

Vanessa: Yeah, I can't agree with you more. Sitting on the board for past six years, and I am now officially just a past president as someone who has contributed. I think the amazing thing to see is when I started being a part of the association, I wasn't even fully licensed yet. I was a school counselor still working towards my licensure.

And as you were saying, building all of these connections, friendships, and family. And then now being in a space where I'm like, wait. Now we are the ones who are able to give back to these younger students and people who are freshly beginning into their careers into mental [00:18:00] health. That's what stands out to me as well. 

Angela: Yeah. If I can add too, I think it's just really cool to have a presence, a Latino presence in the state. As we continue to grow and evolve to have people turning to us for voice in panels, in different learning opportunities across disciplines. We are starting to see the fruits of our labor in that respect too. And I think it's really cool to see that presence continue to grow.

Vanessa: A thousands percent. So listeners, you have heard all about the Latino Mental Health Association of New Jersey, about the Futuro Fund, and the impact that it's making, not only on our communities, but definitely on the scholarship recipients.

And it is our hope that with your contributions to the Futuro Fund, that we're able to increase the amounts, hopefully increase the number of scholarships that we're giving to, to masters and doctoral level students, so that they can continue doing this meaningful work and necessary work that we have [00:19:00] all over the world, but especially within the Latino community in the state of New Jersey.

So if you are interested in donating, we are going to flash the link upon the screen. And you can find the link in the show notes. And that link is active on the association website all year long. So you can do it as a repetitive thing, whether you want like 20 bucks a month, or maybe just a bigger amount once a year.

And you can also bring it to your places of employment to see if they'll match the contribution as well. So really think outside the box as to how you can contribute towards this meaningful cause. 

Angela: Absolutely. 

Vanessa: Angela, thank you. Thank you. Thank you for your contribution to the Latino Mental Health Association of New Jersey, for being a key driver in creating the Futuro fund, and personally for being a great friend. I really appreciate you. 

Angela: Right back at you. Thank you for having me. It's been fun connecting in this space. And echoing right back all the accolades. 

Vanessa: Thank you, Angela, for [00:20:00] sharing space and time today on the podcast. Listeners and viewers, I will share with you that as a first generation college student, I didn't have a family member to hold my hand to do step by step the things that I was working towards, because nobody had done it prior to me.

That's why it's become a personal passion for me to give back in that way because I know the impact that it can make when you have mentors who are willing to answer a question, or interview, or donate towards something as impacting as a scholarship fund.

So at the time of the recording with Angela, the scholarship winners had not yet been chosen because the interview process was still taking place. But I am so excited to share that they since have been chosen and they will be receiving their scholarship at the conference in just a couple of days again, March 20th and 21st at the College of New Jersey.

Here are the scholarship recipients and what the scholarship has meant for them. 

Yareimy: My name is Yareimy Patrocinio and I'm just beyond [00:21:00] honored and grateful to be a recipient of the Futuro Fund Scholarship from the Latino Mental Health Association of New Jersey. This scholarship truly means the difference between me surviving to me thriving, not just as a first generation MSW student, but as a first generation upcoming Latina professional.

Especially in a space that has been predominantly white and has not centered our people and our cultures. And as a first generation daughter of Mexican immigrants, I have seen directly the needs of the Latinx and immigrant community. And I hope to contribute to and join this amazing group of Latinx mental health professionals that have created a space, not just for the people, but by the people, in a very culturally responsive manner.

This means me being able to align my career in a way that feels culturally aligned with myself, and my values, but also with the people I wanna work with. So thank you so much.

Vanessa: You're interested in learning more about the Latino [00:22:00] Mental Health Association of New Jersey, I invite you to follow the link in the show notes. Thank you so much for listening in, and as always, remember in a world where you can be anything you are always free to be mindful. Catch you next time.

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