Thank You to Our Sponsor A special thank you to our My City My Health Presenting Sponsor, UnityPoint Health. To learn more about UnityPoint, visit www.unitypoint.org.
In this episode of The Healthy Project Podcast, we sit down with Kenya Caledon Ceron, a passionate advocate for immigrant rights and mental health services. Kenya shares her powerful personal story of overcoming childhood trauma, receiving a PTSD diagnosis, and navigating the unique barriers that immigrants face in accessing mental health care. She discusses the intersection of cultural competency, religion, and mental health, and the importance of systemic change to serve immigrant communities in Iowa better.
Join us as we explore Kenya’s journey from trauma to advocacy, her legislative work to protect immigrant rights, and her advice for those struggling to find the right mental health support. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in mental health, immigration, and social justice.
Show Notes:
00:00 - Introduction Brooklyn Lowry welcomes listeners to The Healthy Project Podcast and introduces the guest, Kenya Caledon Ceron.
02:00 - Kenya’s Immigration Journey Kenya shares her experience migrating to the U.S. at 11 years old and how it impacted her mental health.
06:00 - The PTSD Diagnosis Discussing the significance of receiving a PTSD diagnosis and how it helped Kenya understand her experiences.
10:30 - Barriers to Therapy The cultural, religious, and linguistic challenges that immigrants face in accessing mental health care.
15:00 - The Importance of Cultural Competency Kenya highlights the need for healthcare providers to understand the cultural context of their immigrant patients.
20:00 - Advocacy and Legislative Work Kenya explains her involvement in Iowa’s legislative process to protect immigrant communities and promote mental health services.
24:00 - Mentorship and Policy Education How Kenya became knowledgeable about state policies and her advice for others interested in advocacy.
28:00 - Current Projects and Future Goals Kenya shares what she’s currently working on and her hopes for the future of immigrant rights and mental health.
30:00 - Closing Remarks Brooklyn thanks Kenya for her insights and encourages listeners to get involved in advocacy.
Register for the My City My Health Conference Don’t miss out on this year’s My City My Health Conference! Register now at www.mycity.health to join the conversation on health equity and advocacy.
24:56
46:17