“If Your Mental Health Is Missing, You Won’t Be Able to Do Anything With Everything You Have”
Weekly article based on the interview with Dr. María Ferreras (Ferreras Counseling & Wellness Center, Lawrence, MA) on El Koro del Morenaje on La Mega 95.1, aired on July 9, 2026.
How many times have we heard—or even said—things like, “That’s for crazy people,” “You’ll get over it,” or “If I ask for help, what will people think?” Those statements have a name: stigma.
According to psychologist Dr. María Ferreras, director of Ferreras Counseling & Wellness Center in Lawrence, Massachusetts, stigma is the number one barrier that keeps Hispanic communities from seeking mental health care when they need it most.
Her message was clear from the very beginning:
“You can have everything, but if your mental health is missing, you won’t be able to do anything with everything you have.”
At My Health Fair, we highlight the most important takeaways from that conversation, along with Massachusetts resources to make taking the first step easier.
What Is Stigma, and Why Does It Hurt Us So Much?
Dr. Ferreras explains it simply: stigma consists of negative beliefs and stereotypes about mental health.
These are misconceptions passed from one generation to the next: if someone goes to therapy, they’re “crazy”; if a young person has depression, they’re “lazy”; if someone lives with anxiety, they’re “making it up.”
She compares it to being afraid of turbulence on an airplane. A passenger may believe the plane is about to crash, while the pilot—who understands how airplanes work—knows that’s not true.
Mental health works the same way. We often fear and judge something we don’t fully understand, and that fear prevents us from seeking help.
The most serious consequence is that stigma causes us to delay treatment.
Dr. Ferreras shared an example everyone can understand: when we need a place to live, we do everything possible to find housing because we know that without it, we could end up homeless.
But we don’t treat mental health with that same urgency.
“People don’t realize that seeking mental health care is just as necessary as finding a home or putting food on the table.”
She warned that untreated depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder eventually affects three major areas of life: our personal and family relationships, our work, and our connection with the people around us. In the end, untreated mental illness can put at risk the very apartment, food, and job we’ve worked so hard to obtain.
When One Family Member Suffers, the Whole Family Suffers
What happens when the person who needs help is your father, mother, child, or grandparent?
Dr. Ferreras used a familiar image:
“It’s like having a basket of oranges. If one is rotten and you leave it there long enough, the others will eventually start to rot too.”
Living with someone experiencing untreated depression, constant anger, or manic episodes affects everyone in the household.
The COVID-19 pandemic made this especially clear. As families spent more time together, many discovered mental health challenges that had gone unnoticed for years.
That’s why, Dr. Ferreras says, encouraging a loved one to seek help isn’t exposing them—it’s loving them.
“Helping someone find treatment is an act of love. Loving someone also means caring for them during their time of need, whatever the reason may be.”
She also shared a hopeful observation:
“When one person walks into our clinic, it often represents an entire family.”
A mother who begins therapy may later bring her spouse or children because she learns to recognize signs at home that previously went unnoticed.
The Three Biggest Barriers Facing Hispanic Communities
When asked about the most common obstacles to accessing mental health care, Dr. Ferreras identified three:
1. Stigma
“Believing that if I seek help, it means I’m crazy. Until that belief changes, this barrier will remain.”
According to Dr. Ferreras, stigma is the biggest obstacle of all.
2. Language
There simply aren’t enough Spanish-speaking mental health professionals.
Mental health care, she explained, should be provided in the patient’s own language so they can fully express themselves and understand their treatment.
Many people remain on waiting lists because they need a Spanish-speaking therapist.
A provider who understands Hispanic culture also understands expressions like “I had a nervous spell” or “I had an anxiety attack,” as well as cultural norms, such as adult children living with their parents, without automatically viewing them as problems.
3. Access to Health Insurance
Some people don’t have health insurance, while others have plans that don’t cover mental health providers or services.
Even so, Dr. Ferreras emphasized that there are solutions.
Community clinics like hers offer sliding-scale fees based on income and provide care regardless of immigration status.
If you have MassHealth, mental health services are covered. If you’ve lost your coverage, you may be able to renew it or explore other insurance options through the Massachusetts Health Connector.
How Do I Know If I Need Help?
Everyone has difficult days.
The difference, Dr. Ferreras explained, is how long those feelings last.
Ask yourself:
“Have I been feeling this way for a long time?”
If getting out of bed becomes difficult week after week, if someone who was once organized stops caring for their home or personal hygiene, or if sadness and irritability become the norm rather than the exception, it’s no longer “just a bad day.”
“If it’s something that keeps happening, then it’s time to seek help because there’s a problem that should be evaluated by a professional.”
She also reminded listeners that mental health struggles eventually become visible.
“Mental health reveals itself through your behavior. It’s better to recognize it yourself before someone else does.”
No One Has to Know: Confidential Care Is Available From Home
For those who fear being judged, Dr. Ferreras highlighted one positive change that came from the pandemic: telehealth.
“You can seek help without anyone knowing. You can speak with your doctor from the comfort of your home, have your medication sent to your pharmacy, and no one has to know.”
The initial phone call to a clinic is confidential.
Paperwork can be completed electronically or by mail.
Appointments with therapists and psychiatrists can take place over the phone or through secure video visits.
Today, the first step toward better mental health can begin with a simple phone call from the privacy of your own home.
During a Mental Health Crisis, Ask for Medical Help—Not Just Police Assistance
Dr. Ferreras addressed a painful reality: some people experiencing mental health crises have lost their lives because family members, unsure of where to turn, called the police instead of medical services.
Her recommendation is clear.
If a loved one is experiencing a mental health emergency, call 911 and specifically request an ambulance for a mental health emergency, or take them directly to the nearest emergency department where they can be stabilized.
Massachusetts also offers free, confidential crisis services in Spanish available 24 hours a day to help families understand what to do and where to go.
Saving those numbers in your phone today could save a life tomorrow.
Confidential Mental Health Resources in Massachusetts
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988, then press 2 for Spanish.
Free, confidential, available 24/7.
Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line
833-773-2445
Available 24 hours a day in Spanish.
No health insurance required.
Connects callers to crisis services and treatment throughout Massachusetts.
Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs)
Provide in-person crisis services across Massachusetts, with or without insurance coverage.
MassHealth
Covers therapy, psychiatry, and mental health treatment.
To renew your coverage or explore insurance options:
- Massachusetts Health Connector
- MassHealth: 800-841-2900
Ferreras Counseling & Wellness Center (Lawrence)
439 South Union Street, Suite 104
(The same building as the Social Security office)
Phone: 978-648-8515
- Therapy in Spanish
- Phone and video appointments
- Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Services regardless of immigration status
In an Emergency
Call 911 and specifically request an ambulance for a mental health emergency, or go directly to the nearest emergency room.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know whether I’m experiencing depression or simply going through a difficult time?
The key is duration and frequency.
If sadness, lack of energy, neglecting personal care, or irritability continue for several weeks and begin affecting your work, family life, or daily routine, it’s time to speak with a mental health professional.
Can I receive therapy in Spanish without anyone finding out?
Yes.
Many clinics across Massachusetts offer confidential therapy in Spanish by phone or video from your home.
Your appointments, records, and treatment remain confidential.
What if I don’t have health insurance or immigration documents?
You can still receive care.
Community health clinics often adjust fees according to income and provide services regardless of immigration status.
You can also call the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line at 833-773-2445 for free guidance on available options near you.
What should I do if a family member is experiencing a mental health crisis right now?
Call 988 (press 2 for Spanish) for immediate crisis support, or call 911 and specifically request an ambulance for a mental health emergency.
You may also take your loved one directly to the nearest emergency department.
More information www.myhealthfair.com
