��������

Queer Latina mental health activist Dior Vargas took the time to talk to Western Today about her journey to mental health activism, removing the stigma from talking about mental health and her hopes for her events this week at Western for Latine Heritage Month.

Today at 3 p.m. in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room, Vargas will present “The Color of My Mind: Perspectives from a Queer Latina Feminist Mental Health Activist.” Vargas will also give a workshop for Western students on thriving as a college student of color on Thursday, Oct. 13, at 1 p.m. in the Multicultural Center Multiuse Room (VU 735).

Read on to get to know Vargas before you see her on campus. But first, a content note: Vargas speaks frankly about her experiences with domestic violence and suicide.

Can you tell us about yourself and how you got into mental health activism?

Dior Vargas: I was born and raised in NYC, and I grew up with my mom, sister, and maternal grandparents. We all lived in the same building. I had experienced a lot of trauma in my household, such as domestic violence. Early on in my childhood, I started experiencing depressive symptoms. Since my family didn't discuss mental health, I didn’t share my struggles with them. From the ages of 8 to 18, I was battling suicidal ideation, and from the ages of 11 to 18, I was actively attempting to end my life. My last attempt ended up with me being placed in a psychiatric ward. After that experience, I decided that I didn’t want to continue living that way. I started going to therapy and taking medication. I started advocating for myself. I started getting involved in advocacy on various topics in college and afterward. In 2013, I decided to change my focus solely to mental health. I volunteered with various mental health organizations, and during that time, while doing research, I saw that there was barely any diversity when it came to the media’s representation of mental illness. That’s where the idea of the (People of Color and Mental Illness) Photo Project came from.

Why is mental health such an important topic on college campuses, particularly for students of color?

Vargas: Going to college away from home can be a startling experience, and the transition to being in a predominantly white institution is jarring. Their mental health can be negatively impacted and prevent them from thriving in that new environment. In addition to everything that is going on in the world, students of color need a space where they feel safe, and an institution that is actively trying to create that for them is extremely important.

Can you give us a bit of a preview of what you’ll be covering in your keynote presentation and why you think students and college employees should attend?

Vargas: I will be sharing my personal experience and the lessons I learned throughout that process. I talk about how to advocate for yourself and others. Also, I give different ways you can bring up mental health in your family.

What can students expect from the workshop the next day?

Vargas: Referring back to being a student of color in a predominantly white institution, this workshop will help participants use the resources that are available and find ways that they can self-advocate in both their personal and academic lives.

What are the big lessons or ideas that you hope students take away from your presentation and the workshop?

Vargas: I want the students to leave feeling empowered and excited to use the resources at their disposal. I want them to think about mental health in a positive light rather than a negative one. I hope that their relationships with their families and communities improve so that the stigma can be removed.

What do you hope Western staff, faculty, and administrators take away from your presentation?

Vargas: I want them to prioritize their mental health because they deserve it. You can’t take care of others unless you take care of yourself first. I hope they start talking about mental health as a way to destigmatize it for their students. They should lead by example.