Misión Cielo is a social media initiative dedicated to raising awareness about nutrition and mental health within the Latino youth community, particularly among individuals with limited English proficiency. 

Research from 2023 indicates that Hispanic adults are 60% less likely to have received mental health treatment due to language barriers(3). As a case in point, the COVID-19 pandemic studies have shown that monolingual Spanish Speakers had higher COVID-19 infection rates, and consequently, patients with LEP sustained higher rates of COVID-related hospitalization and mortality(1). Furthermore, patients with LEP are more likely to receive worse symptom management, experience lower quality serious illness communication, and report poorer prognostic awareness and inadequate understanding of their diagnoses(2). 

LEP youth often feel caught between two cultures. They may not feel fully accepted in either their family’s native culture (due to adopting some "American" behaviors) or the dominant culture (due to language limitations). This sense of "not belonging" can heighten vulnerability to substance use.

With the Latino population in the United States representing nearly 19% of the overall population, and 39.3% of Latinos facing limited English proficiency(4), it is critical to address the deleterious issues stemming from LEP. Through engaging skits and videos purely in Spanish, Misión Cielo seeks to promote mindful eating habits and mindfulness techniques amongst Latino Youths, encouraging non-English youth speakers to embrace these practices for improved well-being. Our motto is : "construir un futuro brillante"--to build a brighter future for all latinos, regardless of LEP status.