Photo courtesy The Cannenta Foundation
The Cannenta Foundation, which has a location in Oak Cliff, aims to increase access to mental health services for Hispanics/Latinos by providing affordable, compassionate, and culturally sensitive care.
One way the Cannenta Foundation works to help the community is through its annual Hispanic Mental Health Conference, which was held Sept. 13-14 at Dallas College Mountain View Campus. The conference brought together over 200 mental health professionals and community leaders to explore the latest trends and services in Hispanic mental health.
According to the latest federal government data from SAMHSA (2023), one in five (22%) Hispanics/Latinos experience mental illness, and one in 20 suffer from serious mental illness. Despite these significant numbers, only 36% of Hispanics/Latinos received mental health services, in stark contrast to 52% of their white counterparts.
The Cannenta Center’s mission is to improve mental health outcomes by removing financial barriers and offering a comprehensive range of services to ensure exceptional care for this underserved community.
Julissa Arce Raya, a Mexican-American writer, speaker, businesswoman, and advocate for immigration rights provided the event’s keynote address. She co-founded Ascend Educational Fund and authored My (Underground) American Dream, Someone Like Me (Alguien Como Yo) and You Sound Like a White Girl: The Case for Rejecting Assimilation. Arce was named one of People en Español’s 25 Most Powerful Women of 2017 and 2018 Woman of the Year by the City of Los Angeles. She was awarded the Los Angeles Times Latinos de Hoy Emerging Leader Award, the NAHREP’s Vanguard Award, and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation Inspira Award.
“This conference is a unique opportunity to highlight the incredible contributions of Hispanic mental health professionals and to foster a sense of empowerment among attendees,” said Dr. Leti Cavazos, Founder of the Cannenta Foundation. “We are committed to providing an enriching experience that not only informs but also inspires.”
Dr. Leti was recently honored as a 2024 Dallas Business Journal Leaders in Diversity Awardee. She was also recognized as one of the 2020 Top 10 Dedicated and Deserving Social Workers by Social Work Today.
The conference also featured a series of speakers, interactive breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and agency exhibits. One hundred percent of the proceeds of the conference will be contributed to the Cannenta Foundation Fund, which goes to support those in our Hispanic community in need of mental health assistance.
