Finding Belonging Through Identity and Representation

“I am Chicana. I am first generation, eldest daughter, born here from parents born and raised in Mexico.” — Doris Sanchez, Mental Health Therapist, Transitions

For Doris Sanchez, understanding her identity has been a journey shaped by language, family, representation, and the experience of finding words for parts of herself she had not always felt comfortable expressing.

Growing up as the daughter of Mexican-born parents, Doris navigated different expectations about who she was and how she identified. Her story reflects a deeply personal question that many people encounter: What does it mean to feel seen, understood, and represented?

Finding the Words for Identity

Growing up, Doris understood that she was often perceived as different because of her appearance and the language she spoke. In her community, speaking Spanish was once a source of embarrassment. Over time, she stopped speaking it and began introducing herself as American rather than Mexican American.

Looking back, she recognizes how much the conversations around identity have changed—and how much those conversations matter.

As Doris grew older, she began to understand that her lived experiences were meaningful, even when she did not have the language or space to articulate them. A pivotal moment came when she watched Selena, the film about the late Tejano singer. Seeing an experience that reflected her own sense of navigating two cultures helped her feel recognized.

For Doris, representation was more than seeing someone who looked like her. It was hearing an experience expressed in a way that helped her understand her own.

Her experience underscores the importance of representation: sometimes, seeing our experiences reflected in someone else's story helps us recognize, name, and embrace parts of ourselves.

Reconnecting With Family and Heritage

That recognition also encouraged Doris to learn more about her family's history. She began asking her grandparents about their journey to the United States and the decisions they made when leaving the communities where they had spent their lives. She asked her parents how they met and how they chose to raise their family.

Those conversations helped her better understand her history and the experiences that shaped her identity.

Through that process, Doris came to embrace the word that best represented her: Chicana.

Today, as a mother, she is intentional about creating space for her children to explore their own identities and understand their heritage. She wants them to feel proud of where they come from while also knowing they do not have to fit into a single definition of who they are.

She wants them to have the freedom to evolve, ask questions, and find the words that feel right to them.

Why Representation Matters in Mental Health

Doris's story offers a meaningful reminder that identity is personal, complex, and continually evolving. Language, family history, culture, and lived experience all shape how people understand themselves and how they connect with the world around them.

In behavioral health, recognizing these experiences matters. Culturally responsive care begins with understanding that every person brings their own history, values, relationships, and perspective. Creating space for people to share those experiences can help foster connection, understanding, and a greater sense of belonging.

Doris's journey also reminds us that representation is not only about who we see reflected in our communities. It is about whether people feel their experiences are understood, their voices matter, and their identities are respected.

As we continue to celebrate Latine Heritage Month (our agency theme is, “Unidos, Somos Más” — “Together, We Are More"), Doris's story reminds us of the importance of making space for conversations about identity, representation, culture, and belonging—not just this month, but throughout the year. By listening to one another and honoring the experiences that shape who we are, we can strengthen our connections and continue advancing more culturally responsive care.

Sometimes, finding the right word can change how we see ourselves. And sometimes, seeing our own experiences reflected in someone else's story is the beginning of that discovery.