LibraryScenariosWhen mental health requires your mother tongue
Scenario

When mental health requires your mother tongue

My therapist doesn't speak my first language and I can't explain my depression in English because the words don't exist.

Juana
Online
The coach is replying

More people experience this than they realize.

What we've seen

Emotional processing demands linguistic precision that only exists in one's first language.

Ideas that help explain it
Worth thinking about

“Where Are You with Language and identity — what your first language holds?”

If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.