Get Inspired with #HispaFam - September 2026 Newsletter
Let us keep planting hope.
Let us keep talking.
Let us keep asking.
Let us keep showing up for one another.
-Dra. Nidia Medina, CEO, Hispanic Family Counseling, Inc.
Reflection September 2026
I ended our conversation last month by telling you that one of the most profound ways we can leave an everlasting mark is by living in such a way that the love we give continues to live in others, even when we are no longer there to see it.
This month, as we celebrate our Hispanic Heritage and join the conversation around suicide prevention, let us remember the power of love and the impact we can have on one another.
One word can change a decision.
One conversation can break the silence.
One look can restore hope.
One hug can let someone know they are not alone.
And one act of love can transform a life.
It is not about knowing how far what we gave was able to reach, but about trusting that, somehow, it will continue to grow in someone’s heart.
Because a seed planted with genuine love has infinite possibilities to grow.
We may never know which words remained planted in someone’s heart, which gesture gave them strength again, or which moment of connection reminded them that their life matters.
And perhaps that is also where we find the true meaning of our heritage: in what we have received, but also in what we choose to leave in others.
Our heritage is not only found in our roots, our music, our flavors, or our stories. It is also found in the way we care for one another, support one another, and extend a hand when someone is going through a difficult time.
A phone call, a kind word, a hug, or simply asking, “How are you, really?” can become a seed of hope.
Let us keep planting hope.
Let us keep talking.
Let us keep asking.
Let us keep showing up for one another.
Sometimes, being there for someone can be the beginning of a different story.
With love,
-Dra. Nidia Medina, CEO, Hispanic Family Counseling, Inc.
A Proud Moment for Hispanic Family Counseling!
We are proud to celebrate our President and Founder, Dr. Denisse Centeno Lamas, who was recognized as a finalist for the Business Star Award at the 6th Annual Osceola Stars Awards, held yesterday at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.
This category recognizes established Hispanic-owned businesses with more than five years of service that have demonstrated growth, leadership, and a meaningful impact in our community.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando and Osceola Star Newspaper for bringing our community together and creating a special platform to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of Hispanic leaders and businesses throughout Central Florida.
This recognition reflects Dr. Centeno Lamas’ many years of dedication, leadership, and commitment to serving individuals and families in our community.
Congratulations, Dr. Centeno Lamas! We are incredibly proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition with you!
#HispaFam #OsceolaStarsAwards #BusinessStarAward #HispanicLeadership #CommunityImpact #CentralFlorida
Culture Matters: Connecting Better, Serving Better
Our Founder and President, Dr. Denisse Lamas, had the opportunity to represent Soul Shop at the National Latino Behavioral Health Association (NLBHA) Conference in New Mexico, alongside Sheila Burgos, Human Resources Supervisor at Hispanic Family Counseling.
It was a meaningful few days of learning, exchanging ideas, and connecting with professionals who share a commitment to the well-being of our Latino communities.
One of the most important reflections we brought home is that culture matters. We cannot talk about mental health without recognizing the language, values, family, faith, immigration experiences, and realities that are part of each person’s identity.
We also reaffirmed something that has been at the heart of Hispafam’s mission since the beginning: it is not enough to simply translate services; we must truly understand the culture of the people we serve.
We returned with new ideas, valuable connections, and, above all, a renewed commitment to continuing to provide culturally responsive and accessible services to our community.
Because when we understand culture, we connect better. And when we connect better, we serve better.
#HispaFam #NLBHA #SaludMental #SaludMentalLatina #CulturaImporta #LatinoMentalHealth #BehavioralHealth
HFC at Safety Day 2026 💙
Hispanic Family Counseling was proud to be part of Safety Day 2026, hosted by Providing Autism Links & Support (PALS) in partnership with the UCF Center for Autism & Related Disabilities and Children’s Safety Village. The event brought together individuals on the autism spectrum, their families, community professionals, and local organizations for a day of interactive activities, safety education, and connection to valuable community resources. HFC was represented by Dr. Jessenia Colon and intern Maria Nuñez, who had the opportunity to connect with families, share information about our services, and be part of an event focused on creating a supportive and inclusive community for individuals with autism and their families.
A Conversation That Matters: Suicide Prevention
Our Founder and President, Dr. Denisse C. Lamas, had the opportunity to participate in Mindcast Episode 6, joining Behavioral Health Operations Supervisor Maryuri for an important conversation about suicide prevention.
Talking openly about suicide, recognizing the signs, and creating spaces where people feel safe asking for help can make a difference.
We are grateful for opportunities like this that help continue the conversation, reduce stigma, and remind our communities that talking about suicide can save lives.
We invite you to listen, share, and help us keep the conversation going. You can watch the video Podcast here.
If you want to learn more about our work and impact on communities, follow us on our social media platforms.
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➡️ Read the new blog post: How Are You… Really?
Connection, Cultura, and Mental Health in the Hispanic Community
There are some things in our culture that we may not immediately think of as part of caring for our mental health.
A cafecito with someone we love.
Sitting around the table long after dinner is over.
A call from mamá asking, “¿Llegaste bien?”
Cooking together while music plays in the background.
The sobremesa that somehow turns a quick meal into a two-hour conversation.
These moments may seem ordinary, but they have something important in common:
Connection.
And research continues to show that connection matters.
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health highlights social connection as an important part of our overall health. Strong social ties and a sense of belonging are associated with healthier lives, while social disconnection has been linked with concerns including anxiety and depression. Harvard Chan School of Public Health
But for many Latinos, connection is also deeply intertwined with cultura.
Familia, Familismo & Connection
When researchers study Latino communities, one concept that appears frequently is familismo.
Familismo refers to a cultural value that emphasizes close family relationships, support, loyalty, reciprocity, and a strong connection to both immediate and extended family.
A study examining familism and psychological health found that familism was associated with greater family closeness and perceived social support, which in turn were associated with better psychological health. The study included participants from Latino, European, and Asian cultural backgrounds, with Latino participants reporting the highest average levels of familism. PubMed
A systematic review of 39 studies has also examined the relationship between familism and outcomes including depression, suicide-related outcomes, substance use, and internalizing and externalizing behaviors, highlighting the importance—and complexity—of family relationships in Latino mental health. PubMed
But familismo doesn't mean every Latino family is the same.
And it certainly doesn't mean that every family relationship is healthy or supportive.
Our culture may give us many opportunities for connection. What we do with those opportunities matters.
Being Together Isn't Always the Same as Feeling Connected
You can sit at a table surrounded by familia and still feel lonely.
You can have a phone full of messages and still feel like nobody really knows what you're going through.
You can be the person everyone calls when they need something and quietly wonder:
¿Y quién pregunta por mí?
Loneliness isn't necessarily about being physically alone.
As researchers at Harvard explain, loneliness can be understood as a gap between the social connections we have and the connections we want or need. Harvard Chan School of Public Health
That distinction matters.
Sometimes we don't necessarily need more people around us.
Sometimes we need deeper, safer, more meaningful connections with the people who are already there.
Ask Again
We do this almost automatically:
“How are you?”
“Good.”
And then we continue with the conversation.
But what would happen if we asked one more time?
“No, de verdad… ¿cómo estás?”
That second question feels different.
It says:
I have time.
I'm listening.
You don't have to give me the automatic answer.
And within Latino communities, those close relationships may also influence whether someone reaches out for additional support.
A nationally representative study of Latino adults with a clinical need for mental health services examined the role of family support and familismo in help-seeking. Among its findings, encouragement from family or friends to seek professional help was associated with mental health service use. The researchers concluded that family and cultural influences are important considerations when understanding mental-health help-seeking among Latinos. PubMed Central (PMC)
Our role as family or friends is not to become someone's therapist.
Sometimes caring simply means noticing.
Asking.
Listening.
And when someone needs more support than we can provide, helping them feel comfortable reaching for it.
Maybe We Already Have Some of the Tools
Connection doesn't always require a big plan.
Sometimes it can begin with things that are already part of our everyday lives and cultura.
Have the cafecito, but put the phones away for twenty minutes.
Stay a little longer for the sobremesa.
Call someone just because you haven't heard their voice in a while.
Cook one of your family's recipes and ask where it came from.
Put on an old song and share the memory attached to it.
Take a walk together.
Ask your friend who always says “todo bien” one more time:
“¿Pero de verdad, cómo estás?”
And if they decide to tell you, resist the immediate urge to fix everything.
Sometimes the most meaningful thing we can offer is simply our presence.
Aquí estoy.
Te escucho.
Connection of the Week
This week, choose one person.
You don't need to plan anything special.
A cafecito. A walk. A phone call. A meal. A conversation.
Give that person a little of your time and, more importantly, your attention.
Maybe ask a question you haven't asked in a while.
Maybe listen without looking at your phone.
Maybe tell someone, “Estaba pensando en ti.”
Download the Coffee Date Conection Cheat Seet in English, and en Español.
Because some of the spaces where connection can happen may already be around us:
La mesa. El cafecito. La familia. Los amigos. La comunidad. La conversación.
Let the table be about more than food.
Let the cafecito be about more than coffee.
Let the phone call be about more than getting something done.
And let “How are you?” be about more than saying hello.
Because sometimes caring for our mental health—and caring for one another—can begin with something very simple:
Aquí estoy. Te escucho.
Research & Resources
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health — The Importance of Connections
A look at social connection, belonging, loneliness, and their relationship with health and well-being.
PubMed — Familism and Psychological Health
Research examining the relationship among familism, family closeness, social support, and psychological health.
NIH — Family Culture in Mental Health Help-Seeking Among Latinos
A nationally representative study examining familismo, family support, and mental-health help-seeking among Latino adults in the United States.
PubMed — Systematic Review of Familism and Mental Health Outcomes in Latino Populations
A review of 39 studies examining familism in relation to several mental-health outcomes.
By Sheila Burgos
Get to Know Ana Morales,Ph.D.,
Clinical Supervisor
Dr. Ana is a Licensed Psychologist in Florida and Puerto Rico with experience in psychological evaluations, psychotherapy, clinical supervision, and mental health services across diverse populations. She is committed to culturally responsive, ethical, and evidence-based care and is currently completing her EMDR certification. Dr. Ana serves as Mental Health Clinical Supervisor at Hispanic Family Counseling.
1. If your friends described you in three words, what would they be?
Simple, humble, patient, and dedicated.
2. What inspired you to work in the mental health field?
I was inspired by the opportunity to help people navigate difficult moments in their lives, discover their strengths, and work toward meaningful change. I believe that having someone who listens without judgment can make a significant difference in the healing process..
3. What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy connecting with people and being part of their growth. I like helping them recognize their strengths and discover that change is possible.
4. What is one piece of advice you often give to others?
Live one day at a time. Recognize where you are emotionally, validate what you are feeling, and keep moving forward.
5. What is something most people don't know about you?
That throughout every stage of my life, both the good and the difficult moments, God has been with me. Every difficulty has been an opportunity to experience His presence, mercy, and love. I always remember what God has done in my life, no matter how many years have passed. I live with the deep conviction that God loves me and has had a special way of caring for me. Many of the difficult things I have overcome have been possible because God has been my rock. Even today, I can remember moments when God intervened in my life in ways I could never have imagined, and those memories still touch my heart. I carry a deep sense of God's goodness that is difficult to put into words.
6. Coffee, tea, or something else?
Coffee. ☕
7. What's your favorite book, movie, or TV show?
The Sound of Music.
8. If you could travel anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?
Switzerland. I would love to experience its beautiful landscapes, mountains, lakes, and charming villages.
9. What hobby or activity do you enjoy outside of work?
Walking outdoors and enjoying nature.
10. How do you like to relax after a busy day?
By exercising.
11. What do you hope people feel when they work with you?
I like people to feel supported, respected, and comfortable.
12. Complete this sentence: “One thing I hope people always remember is…”
That God is real, even though we cannot see Him, and that He is always present.
13. Beach or mountains?
Beach. 🌊
14. Sunrise or sunset?
Sunset. 🌅
15. Dogs, cats, or both?
Dogs. 🐶
16. Sweet or savory?
Sweet.
17. One word that guides your life:
Sweet. 🍰
18. A quote that always inspires me:
“Always give your best.”
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