Breaking Boundaries: Katherine Lemus’ Journey to Mental Health Advocacy in the Latinx Community
Meet Katherine, the trailblazing founder of Mujeres in Charge, a vibrant community aimed at shattering the mental health stigma prevalent in Latino culture. In a society often hushed about mental health, Katherine courageously shares her personal struggles to foster understanding and support. Raised in a Hispanic household, she faced early maturity and grappled with anxiety and depression, unacknowledged due to cultural barriers. Now in her 30s, she reflects on her challenging journey and how her upbringing fueled her commitment to break the silence.
What's a typical day in your life look like?
My typical day consists of me being woken up by my 3 little yappy dogs because being a stay at home dog mom is no joke! I usually start with some coffee, some tiktok scrolling while planning content for the group and individual.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
The fact that I am helping other women realize they are not alone and there is help out there even if it wasn’t accessible to us when we were younger.
How would you say your upbringing and cultural background contributed to your career aspirations?
I grew up in a Hispanic household and had to mature at a young age due to hardships. With this came anxiety, depression and mental health issues I didn’t recognize as I wasn’t taught about them or how to deal with them.
What would you say is a common question or concern you get from your clients/followers?
Why am I so open about my struggles? Am I not embarrassed and the answer will be no. Listen, people are going to judge you and laugh no matter what, if I can help others even just by being a listening ear I’m okay with that.
What would you say has been your biggest obstacle in launching a successful career? How have you overcome it?
I think the biggest obstacle was knowing I was going to have criticism but I try to focus on the positive instead of the negative.
What is the phrase, sentence, or conversation that stopped you in your tracks and changed your outlook in life?
Trauma is not an illness , it’s an injury that has to be cared for an healed or else you’ll bleed onto others.
If you had the choice to go back to your past or fast forward to your future, which one would you choose? Why?
I think I would go to my past and start this sooner.
What are you committed to doing no matter what happens?
Continue to fight to break the stigma, it’s the whole reason for the community and I hope we can make a change.
Where might you be found on a Saturday afternoon with no plans?
In the summer a patio or rooftop. In the winter in my room in PJs watching Horror movies with my dogs.
If you were to meet 10 year old you, what would you say to them?
You’re worthy, stand up for yourself and don’t try to change yourself to please others.
What is something you’re willing to start all over again?
I think the community of Mujeres in Charge but only because I would do it sooner.
When are you the happiest?
When I’m making others smile.
What is stopping you?
Usually it’s fear of failure.
Hustle culture and burnout is so prominent in our community. How do you prioritize self care?
I’m a very firm believer of working smarter not necessarily harder. Growing up seeing my parents work always and not enjoy has taught me that hustle culture can be damaging instead of productive.
Same goes for imposter syndrome. How do you combat those feelings (if any)?
This one I struggle with everyday. I try to read happy posts, look at my accomplishments and think of where I was a few years back and the growth I’ve had.
How do you stay connected to your culture, heritage, and community?
I’m very close with my family and lately have been trying to learn more about my heritage through travel.
What would 18-year-old you say about where you are at in life now?
Damn girl you’re back! The frightened teenager is nowhere to be seen!
What accomplishment are you most proud of, both in your personal and professional life?
Professional would be getting free therapy for the community.
Personal would be my growth as a human.
Drink 🫖
What is Katherine’s go-to drink?
An oat latte with a shot of hazelnut.
Listening To 🎧
What is Katherine listening to at the moment?
It’s a mix of Benito aka Bad Bunny and jamming to my Latin beats or deep house music by Diplo.
Your Truth 🗣️
What is a Katherine’s truth?
I do what I do to help the next generation and break the cultural trauma we’ve endured. My mom inspires me the most because even at an older age she is open to learning and taught me how a kind heart like hers not only opens up doors but also brings the right people. She has been battling cancer since 2020 and her attitude and love of life has only increased and it makes me want to be the best version of myself for her.
Your Plug 🔌
What is Katherine plugging today?
My project is for all women who have struggled to feel loved and hopeful in their darkest times. To the Latinas who want to break the cultural norms for them and their kids.
More about Katherine Lemus
My name is Katherine and I’m the founder of Mujeres in Charge a Latin community built to break the mental health stigma in the Latino culture.
I have struggled with my mental health for as long as I can remember, having many other health issues alongside didn't exactly make things easier. I had heard so many horror stories about medications to treat anxiety that I was always scared and embarrassed to talk to anyone about it, especially coming from a culture with very limited resources. Now as a women in my 30's I share my journey and want to help others understand the importance of mental health.