A Conversation with Dr. Kay: Meditation, Mental Well-being, and the Latina Experience
La Fuerte is one of the Latina Personality Types I have played, which negatively impacted my mental health. She is Latina personality who keeps it all together because no one else can keep it together. La Fuerte ensures everyone else is okay at the expense of her own emotional, physical, or spiritual trauma. The mask of kept-togetherness had become so familiar to me as the daughter of immigrants. The hurt and pain I carried had been hidden from those around me. I walked around smiling and listening to everyone else instead of listening to my heart screaming for help.
In 2011, realized I needed help with my mental health and emotional regulation when I thought, "if a car hit me, I'd finally be able to rest." The thought was clear as day, like adding something to my grocery list. My voice was matter-of-fact, like harming myself was worth exploring. When I got to the other side of the street, I felt a rush of fear for thinking that way. I was initially afraid that I had no one to reach out to for help because I wore the mask of the strong one. No one would believe I would have such dark thoughts.
My mask of La Fuerte needed to come off to save my life. As a master’s student in a counseling-based program, I knew in my logical mind this was suicidal ideation. If it had not been that I was in a world surrounded by others who were openly talking about mental health, asking for help, and identifying resources for BIPOC folxs I don’t know where I would be today.
Meditation helped me see my true self.
Through therapy, yoga, and meditation, I recognized that these patterns of suicidal ideation, turning away from telling people how I felt and trying to keep it together for everyone else, was harming me. Now, I intentionally reach out to my therapist, connect with other Latinas on a soul level, and moderate my consumption of the 24-hour news cycle.
Meditation is about sitting with our thoughts and observing them non-judgementally.
For too long, we have taught meditation from a capitalist perspective of “clearing your mind” so you can be calm and productive. Meditation is about sitting with all our thoughts, from the good to the indifferent to the bad. Instead of trying to avoid any thought, I am doing my best to observe them non-judgementally. Taking that minute to observe my suicidal ideation non-judgementally helped me realize that I did not want to follow the thought. The thought wasn’t bad or good; it helped me realize I needed help and support and couldn’t try alone.
Asking for help is not a weakness. It is a strength of trust that others will be there when you fall to support you on the way back up. Mindless social media scrolling is easy but is not a pathway toward a more regulated state. I have developed coping skills. I am so glad to come back to my soul-self by being upfront with what I have going on, not just to others, pero to myself too.
Finally, I will always be a proponent of working with a team of healers and a community to support your journey. That team looks different for everyone. This is the team that works for me.
License Mental Health Counselor
Acupuncturist
Psychiatrist
Yoga Therapist
A close group of friends
In a world with such hurt, harm, and disarray, I could still look to the most people I love for comfort. Ways that I have stayed on track through my mental health journey have been the smiles my son would give me when I would sit next to him, my Remy dog cuddling up next to me in bed, and my husband bringing flowers home on my deceased sister’s birthday. These moments have brought me glimpses of happiness.
Remember, you are not alone in how you are feeling. Asking for help is the most revolutionary behavior we can do in the collective liberation of our communities. Be the first to ask for help.
About Dr. Kelly Alvarado-Young
Dr. Kelly Alvarado-Young
“It is a strength of trust that others will be there when you fall to support you on the way back up.”
My name is Dr. Kelly Alvarado-Young (KAY); I hold a Ph.D. in adult education, am a 200-hour registered yoga teacher, am a Reiki Level II practitioner, and am la jefa at La Brega Wellness. I have used yoga and meditation to cope with generational trauma, domestic violence, and life experiences as a child of immigrants. La Brega Wellness works to cultivate the confidence and authenticity of Latinas through yoga, meditation, and wellness coaching.
Connect with Dr. KAY at La Brega Wellness
Take the Latina Personality Quiz: www.latinapersonalityquiz.com
Instagram: @labregawellness
Tiktok: @labregawellness
YouTube: @labregawellness
Website: www.labregawellness.com
Get Your Free 25-min Rest, Reset, Renew Restorative Yoga class from Dr. KAY
Reach out immediately for help if you or someone you know suffers from a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts.
Resources to Call
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. 800-273-8255
National Coalition Of Anti-Violence Programs: 212-714-1141 (English And Spanish)
GLBT National Youth Talkline: 800-246-7743
Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
GLBT National Hotline: 888-843-4564
Resources to Text
Crisis Text Line – The Crisis Text Line offers 24/7 emotional support and information support to teens in any type of crisis, including suicide, by trained volunteers via texting. You can text with a trained specialist 24 hours a day. Text HEAL to 741741 to start a conversation.
