Immigration fears drive youth voices in book contributions
CHARLOTTE — After a production process of more than nine months, youth leaders from the Diocese of Charlotte gathered at the Diocesan Pastoral Center for the unveiling of a book that will serve as a guide in conversations about mental health and faith.
At the Feb. 7 workshop, young Hispanic ministries leaders connected with peers from 11 dioceses across the southeast to present the “Easter Book,” a bilingual text that each year applies the Paschal mystery to a topic participants consider important. This year’s book is “Mind, Soul and Heart: Let’s Talk About Mental Health Without Fear,” and its purpose is to open healthy conversations about mental health from the perspective of faith, explained Gabriella Escalante, Southeastern Pastoral Institute (SEPI) youth ministry coordinator and the workshop leader.
“It’s not as much about explaining the conditions of mental health as it is about opening a safe and respectful dialogue connected to our faith,” Escalante said.
In May, leaders held a discernment discussion to choose the theme, which was selected because the youth felt the need to respond to the mental health crisis affecting so many young people. They noted suffering related to comparison, the impact of social media and the digital world, and current events.
“Young people at this moment tend to struggle with anxiety and depression and live under high levels of stress,” Escalante said.
Amid increasing immigration raids and enforcement of immigration laws, many immigrant youth also identified fear as something that is affecting their mental health and that they are trying to bring to light.
“This was 100% a factor,” Escalante said. “The immigration aspect can be one of the root causes of the problem.”
Each year since 1980, the Easter Book has brought together experts and youth to develop a teaching theme that is used in each SEPI diocese. SEPI is the educational branch of the
Southeast Regional Office for Hispanic Ministry, an organization of the U.S. bishops that coordinates and supports Hispanic ministry in 30 dioceses across the southeast. It offers programs in formation, evangelization and leadership for lay ministers and youth, including ministry schools, workshops and a master’s degree in Hispanic Pastoral Ministry in collaboration with Barry University.
SEPI’s Youth Ministry office oversees producing the book and invites different dioceses to participate. The process consists of four meetings spread over several months, usually from May to
February. Participants receive the book at the final workshop.
The Diocese of Charlotte has participated in the project since joining SEPI in 2001, with youth groups writing sections of the book and playing key roles in its development.
“The Diocese of Charlotte has never stepped away,” Escalante said. “The young people of Charlotte have such a unique and particular way of making faith appealing.”
At the presentation participants could not see the physical book due to shipping delays caused by winter storms, but they discussed how it can encourage conversations about mental health that break stigma while also showing the need to understand the topic both psychologically and spiritually.
The book, divided into a personal guide and a leader’s guide, includes resources such as reflections, prayers, music and theology tailored to each topic to assist in conversations and accompany youth.
Vicente Capistrano, director of communications at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Charlotte and a contributor to the book for the past two years, said the book helps leaders ask good questions and create conditions to normalize discussions about mental health. He said being part of the publication process for a motivational book that will be shared with people in different parts of the country has been rewarding.
“I never imagined this; it’s beautiful to be able to share it with others to help. It’s exciting,” Capistrano said.
The workshop included a recap of the production process, ideas for implementation, evaluations and activities to foster connection.
In addition to sharing experiences with facilitators, participants used the time to get to know one another and delve deeper into the topics discussed. They took turns openly talking about their experiences and exploring how to begin dialogues with people who feel anxiety or depression.
Rudy Reyes of St. Mary Parish in Greensboro said, “Although we feel fear at first, we can grow with the support of others.”
Similarly, Jackelyn Villamizar Serrano underscored the importance of peer support. “There are many who may need to hear something when they are going through a difficult time,” she said.
To encourage further dialogue, psychologist Gustavo Facio and Karla Rodriguez, who serves as coordinator of multicultural youth and young adult ministry in the Diocese of St. Augustine, inspired young people to share the book’s message.
“Having the courage to say how you feel is the way we want to see you,” Rodriguez said. “You don’t have to hide parts of yourselves to conform to others.”
— Brian Segovia