RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a special webinar celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, focusing on the intersection of culture, identity, and mental health within Hispanic and Latino communities.
The virtual event, scheduled from noon to 1:30 p.m., will bring together state officials and community mental health advocates to address how cultural values and experiences shape mental well-being, examine the impact of stigma on help-seeking behaviors, and highlight the importance of embracing community strengths.
Kelly Crosbie, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services, will lead the discussion alongside several prominent voices in Hispanic and Latino mental health advocacy. The panel will also provide information about mental health resources currently available throughout North Carolina.
Featured Speakers
The webinar will feature a diverse panel of experts, including:
- Kelly Crosbie, Director, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services, NCDHHS
- Pamela Rodriguez, Community Outreach Hispanic and Latinx Lead, NCDHHS DMH/DD/SUS
- Rachel Galanter, El Futuro
- Elizabeth Uzcategui, Coastal Horizon-Clinica Latina
- David Villanueva, Camino
- Jessica Aguilar, SCFAC
The event comes during National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15, recognizing the contributions and cultural richness of Hispanic and Latino Americans.
Registration Information
The webinar is free and open to the public. Interested participants can register online through the NCDHHS website. The virtual format allows attendees from across North Carolina and beyond to participate in the discussion.
The session aims to foster greater understanding of how cultural identity influences mental health experiences and to promote culturally responsive approaches to mental health care within Hispanic and Latino communities.
For more information about the webinar or to register, visit the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services website.
