LAUP expands bilingual mental health access for Latino families 

What’s happening: Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP) is launching a new initiative expanding access to mental health services for Latino individuals and families across the region. 

Who’s making it possible: Funded by the Holland Zeeland Community Foundation, the initiative is delivered in partnership with Psychological Insights LLC and will provide on-site counseling services connected to LAUP’s bilingual support system. 

What to know: The initiative, Bridging Mental Health, Building Equity: Mental Health Integration with Community Health Workers, aims to increase access to care through LAUP’s bilingual Community Health Workers (CHWs). Therapy will be available regardless of insurance status, in Spanish and English, in a culturally responsive setting grounded in dignity and trust. Community members can meet with a CHW who will assess needs and coordinate a hand-off to on-site counseling with Psychological Insights. CHWs will also provide support that strengthens follow-through and well-being, including help with housing stability, reliable transportation, and benefits navigation. 

What they’re saying: “Families shouldn’t have to choose between getting help and being able to afford it, and they shouldn’t have to settle for care that doesn’t understand their language or culture,” says Alejandra Guillén, executive director of LAUP. “We’re very grateful to the Holland Zeeland Community Foundation for investing in the well-being of our community and helping remove barriers that keep families from care.” 

Why it’s important: “This initiative brings therapy into a space our community already trusts and makes it available regardless of insurance,” says Maria Morales Sr., director of workforce and strategic impact at LAUP. “By embedding on-site mental health services alongside our bilingual Community Health Workers, we’re creating a clear, supportive path: come to LAUP, talk with someone in Spanish or English, and get connected to counseling without jumping through hoops. Through warm hand-offs to on-site therapy and counseling, combined with targeted support for housing stability, reliable transportation, and resource navigation, we can remove barriers to care, strengthen resilience, and advance lasting health equity across our community.” 

What’s the impact: Psychological Insights will provide clinical expertise and direct service delivery, aligning with its commitment to creating supportive and compassionate spaces for healing.

Why it’s needed: Rebecca Gomez, of Psychological Insights, says access to free therapy for Spanish-speaking and bilingual individuals, who are often underserved, has long been needed, eliminating obstacles such as language and financial hardship that can block access to mental health services. She adds that “partnering with LAUP felt like an intentional step toward removing those barriers, given our shared values of community care and equity.” 

What’s the goal: LAUP’s initiative is designed to clear those hurdles, including language access, stigma, transportation challenges, and limited availability of culturally responsive providers. By integrating services where families already go for trusted support, the initiative aims to increase early identification, improve follow-through to care, and strengthen family well-being. 

How to get started: The program launched in February and is open to all Holland and Zeeland residents over the age of 12 in need of mental health care. They will be able to access the services by visiting LAUP and filling out an intake form. Appointments for 50-minute consultations will be scheduled based on availability, and occasional same-day, 15-minute sessions may be offered in case of emergency.