CHICAGO — A Pilsen-based nonprofit dedicated to mental health awareness in Latino communities has received a $10,000 grant as part of MTV’s Mental Health Action Day initiative. The organization, Salud, was the sole recipient in Chicago and hosted a community event Thursday night to mark the occasion.
The grant is part of a national partnership between MTV and CBS, awarding funding to grassroots organizations across the country to support local events aimed at addressing mental health needs. Salud was selected from among more than 500 applicants.
“All of tonight is possible because we were a recipient of the MTV Mental Health Action Day grant,” said Dr. Ricardo Camacho, a clinical psychologist and founder of Salud. “When I found out we were selected, I thought, ‘This is a blessing.’”
The event, held at a local brewery in the heart of Pilsen, blended music, art, and open dialogue — creating a safe, welcoming space for community members to share experiences and foster meaningful conversations around mental health.
“To feel welcomed in a room full of strangers is not easy,” said Ruthie Malgonago, who attended the event to network and connect with others. “I’m the middle of five in my family, and I feel like I’m the one that was never heard.”
Salud was founded three years ago to address the cultural stigma surrounding mental health in Latino communities. Camacho noted that one in five Hispanics in the U.S. experience a mental health condition, but only about 30% seek or receive support — a disparity the organization hopes to help bridge.
“Salud exists to say, ‘Hey, regardless of what’s going on, these spaces are for you,’” Camacho said.
By combining culturally relevant programming with professional expertise, Salud is working to normalize mental health conversations in Latino neighborhoods and provide accessible entry points to care and support.
Thursday’s event was a testament to the power of community and representation in mental health advocacy — and an example of how national support can empower local voices to lead the conversation.
