Risk factors, in this context, are defined as the environmental, psychological, or physical characteristics that are associated with a rise in mental health and substance abuse issues. Within the scope of our project, we focused on the following risk factors:

• Limited English Proficiency- Our primary focus, since about 60% of latinos refuse to have healthcare treatment due to language barriers. Therefore, LEP seems to be the main cause that gives rise to several others discussed below. LEP has even more of an effect on the youth latino population since many latino youths are raised in economically-disadvantaged environments prone to economic disparities, promoting substance-abuse related violence. 

• Economic Disparities: Many Latino families face economic hardships, which can contribute to stress and the inability to access mental health services. Financial instability can also increase the likelihood of substance abuse as individuals may use substances as a coping mechanism. Latino youth are more likely to start drinking at an earlier age compared to their peers from other racial/ethnic groups.

• Acculturation Stress: Latino youths may experience stress due to the cultural differences between their home country and the U.S. This stress can lead to feelings of isolation, identity confusion, and anxiety, increasing the risk of mental health issues.

• Loneliness: LEP youth may struggle to build friendships with English-speaking peers.

And the following protective factors in order to mitigate the effects of the above risk factors:

• Mindfulness- Mindfulness posts that encourage healthy lifestyle habits allow individuals to reflect on their own life, and whether they find themselves living their healthiest, best life. 

• Communication in their mother tongue(Spanish)- Being a Latino youth with LEP, it is comforting when someone else who shares the same lingual and/or cultural background communicates with you. This is especially true when you are not as fluent or cannot speak the local language in your new country. Furthermore, studies have shown that a person is more likely to follow the advice of someone from their own cultural background than from anyone else. Therefore, our Spanish posts encouraging physician visits, mindful eating, etc. will have the same effect. 

All of this was considering the high rates of substance abuse, suicide, and low nutritional awareness rates among the current generation of LEP latino youth, the sole reason behind creating our campaign. 

How we chose our factors:

Our inspiration for creating this campaign came from the alarming reality that 60% of Latinos with limited English proficiency avoid seeking healthcare due to language barriers. This motivated us to take action by using our protective factors( Informative videos in Spanish) and mindfulness tips and sessions to improve their mental health and well-being, helping them overcome these challenges.

As advocates for the beauty and richness of the Spanish language and culture, we felt a deep responsibility to support our community. This campaign is our way of bridging the gap, providing tools to improve mental health and well-being through mindful eating strategies and mindfulness techniques—all presented in Spanish, with the heart and care that our community deserves. These methods were perfect since they put our Spanish skills to use for a greater cause. 

Our HOSA advisor, a proud member of the Latino community, shared invaluable insights into the immense stress many Latinos face due to limited English proficiency, often leading to misdiagnoses and inadequate care from healthcare providers. Additionally, our retired 9th-grade Spanish teacher became a profound source of inspiration for us. She recounted the heartbreaking story of her mother, who struggled with a language barrier while managing a heart condition. Misunderstanding her prescription, she mistakenly took five or six tablets instead of the prescribed two, resulting in a critical emergency that required immediate hospitalization. These experiences deeply moved us, underscoring the urgent need to address language barriers and advocate for the health and well-being of our community.