Today, October 10th, marks World Mental Health Day, a global call to raise awareness and advocate for mental health care as a fundamental human right. At Homeless Children’s Network (HCN), we firmly believe that mental health is essential for everyone, and we are committed to showing up every day with a dedication to listening, healing, and advocating for the most vulnerable. For children and families experiencing homelessness—especially within marginalized communities—the barriers to mental health care can be immense. Stigma, financial constraints, and a lack of culturally competent services often prevent those who need help the most from accessing it. World Mental Health Day is a reminder of the work that still needs to be done to ensure mental health care is accessible to all, and at HCN, our programs reflect this commitment.
HCN’s Commitment to Advocating for Marginalized Communities
Advocacy is at the heart of HCN’s mission. We recognize that the mental health needs of historically marginalized communities are unique and often underrepresented in mainstream care. That's why our approach includes culturally competent care, community outreach and awareness efforts, and a commitment to supporting our community members in their self- and community advocacy—all aimed at making mental health services accessible and effective for everyone.
Ma’at
One of the most powerful examples of HCN’s commitment to culturally competent care is our Ma’at Program, which uses an Afri-centric, whole-person approach to provide culturally responsive behavioral health wellness care. The Ma’at Program works within San Francisco’s Black/African American communities, embedding wellness support across a spectrum of community services. By addressing the historical legacy of intergenerational racism, trauma, and inequity, Ma’at promotes mental wellness through a compassionate, culturally grounded framework. This program plays a vital role in this effort. Beyond traditional therapy, our clinicians offer a community-based, mobile service model, traveling to homes, schools, and other familiar locations to provide care in environments that feel safe and comfortable. This flexibility ensures that families facing the compounded stress of homelessness and systemic barriers can receive services at times and places that fit their needs.
Furthermore, in a recent evaluation of the Ma’at Program by Indigo Cultural Center, 100% of caregivers in the Ma’at Program expressed that they value the fact that the therapist matches their child’s cultural background, while 91% felt that Ma’at has helped them connect better with their child. This demonstrates how critical culturally competent care is for the healing process.
Entre Nosotros
San Francisco’s Latine population has grown in recent years, yet our Latine community continues to face significant barriers such as lack of stable housing, mental health stigmatization, and challenges related to immigration and acculturation. Entre Nosotros aims to address these urgent needs through a blend of culturally-rooted care and trauma-informed practices. Like Ma’at, the program acknowledges that healing does not happen in isolation. Our clinicians work within the community, offering mobile services in areas where Latine families face housing instability, such as shelters or vehicles, to make mental health care accessible.
Entre Nosotros will provide individual and communal mental health care, incorporating indigenous healing practices alongside more traditional therapeutic approaches such as art, music, and somatic interventions. This holistic approach is essential to fostering mental health in Latine communities, many of whom face additional challenges such as language barriers, lack of healthcare access, and economic instability.
With Entre Nosotros, HCN reaffirms its commitment to providing culturally affirming care, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of background or circumstances, have the opportunity to heal, grow, and thrive.
Moving Forward Together
As we celebrate #WorldMentalHealthDay, we reaffirm our commitment to advocating for minority mental health. At HCN, we believe that mental health care is a right, not a privilege, and that everyone—regardless of their background or circumstances—deserves access to compassionate, culturally competent care. By continuing to expand our programs, support marginalized communities, and advocate for systemic change, we aim to create a world where mental health is truly universal.
Every day, we listen. Every day, we heal. And every day, we advocate for a future where mental health care is accessible to all. If you’d like to join us in these efforts or receive services, please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you!
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