In a heartening blend of culture, community, and mental health, earlier this month, Sin Titulo, a Pilsen-based apparel brand, partnered with Latinx Talk Therapists to host a remarkable event focused on connecting and finding a long-term therapist in a supportive and relaxed setting.
Finding your therapist – Speed Dating, offered attendees a unique “speed dating” format, allowing them to interact and engage with six different therapists for fifteen minutes each, rotating to the next one after each session. This innovative approach was praised by its attendees for its effectiveness in making therapy less intimidating and more accessible.
Around thirty attendees had the chance to engage directly with therapists, a crucial step in finding the right match. “Whether you’re looking to find a therapist who understands your cultural background, specializes in a specific type of therapy, or just want to explore your options, this event is for you,” the promotional material promised, and the event delivered.
Irais Elizarraraz, Sin Titulo co-founder, highlighted the significance of such events for the community, stating, “I love doing these community events, providing resources… We always get asked, how do I find the right therapist? How do I know what to ask?” These questions were at the heart of the event, providing clarity and support to those navigating their mental health journeys.
Ernestina Perez, the founder of Latinx Talk Therapy, also emphasized the broader mission of destigmatizing mental health within the community. “I really love that idea that people can bring any questions and things,” she said. “With about 80 percent of Latinx Talk Therapy clients being first-time therapy users, events like this play a crucial role in demystifying the therapeutic process and encouraging more individuals to seek help.”
Sin Titulo began its journey as an apparel brand at the beginning of the pandemic in August 2020. It was founded by the Elizarraz sisters, Irais, Diana, and Itzel.
“We started off just doing apparel, and it was definitely during the pandemic as a solution for us,” explained Elizarraraz. “I wanted to go into a grocery store and still be able to stand loud and proud of my heritage, of what I stand for, social justice, whatever it was,” she added.
The Pilsen-based apparel brand began branching out by collaborating with local brands and hosting pop-ups.
As the COVID-19 restrictions lifted, the brand evolved to include community events, emphasizing mental health discussions and resources. “The reason why we started doing events is because I wanted more of a relationship post-shipping off a shirt,” Elizarraraz said.
Fruits of My Labor, the mental health portion of Sin Titulo’s community events, focuses on providing resources and a safe environment to prepare attendees for conversations with their therapists and to open the floor to network and meet other individuals on similar mental health journeys.
Perez, who immigrated from Mexico City and grew up in Joliet, emphasized the importance of cultural sensitivity in therapy. “I grew up around a lot of immigrants, and I just could kind of see the different struggles that we were all having,” she said, noting the lack of resources for Latinx mental health.
Sin Titulo’s unique concept has allowed for a seamless integration of topics such as mental health, social justice, and the specific needs of immigrants and children of immigrants. These buckets are carried out throughout the brand designs and the events hosted. “Mental health is dope,” as one of the Sin Titulos t-shirts reads, was the special drop that inspired this event.
“I love that you can kind of shop around and talk to people,” said Perez.
The collaboration with Latinx Talk Therapy is dedicated to providing culturally sensitive mental health services. Perez shared her vision for the organization: “I wanted to bring these therapists together to define what Latinx mental health is and really use these evidence-based training and skills that we learn, and use them with the community.” Perez’s background and passion for bridging gaps in mental health care for the Latinx community have been instrumental in shaping the organization’s mission and outreach.
Elizarraraz shared the inspiration behind integrating mental health into Sin Titulo’s events, reflecting on her personal experiences with therapy and the community’s need for accessible mental health resources. “We already do mental health discussions. Now let’s have an opportunity for us to just socialize and talk about our healing journeys,” she noted, emphasizing the importance of continuous support and dialogue.
The event was more than just a networking opportunity; it was a celebration of community resilience and a step towards collective healing. With organizations like Sin Titulo and Latinx Talk Therapy leading the way, the future looks promising for culturally sensitive mental health support within the Latinx community.
To learn about upcoming events or shop Sin Titulos designs visit Sintituloshop.com
Sofia McDowell is a freelance writer, blogger and marketing professional. She last wrote about youth, immigrants, and formerly incarcerated people casting their vote.