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September 15th to October 15th is National Hispanic Heritage Month. Throughout this time, i3b, UMBC and country celebrates the important contributions, heritage, and culture of all Hispanic and Latinos in the United States.
Honoring our Hispanic/Latin(e/x) community and their influence on our country, we recognize culture and traditions that have shaped all of our communities. Hispanic Heritage Month further celebrates the traditions, cultures, families, love, and service all Hispanic and Latin(e/x) folks.
History of Hispanic Heritage Month
Beginning on September 15th, Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the anniversary of independence of the Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, dating back to 1968. Additionally, Mexico, Chile, and Belize also celebrate their independence days during this period with Día de la Raza on October 12th.
The term Hispanic, referring to the racial and ethnic groups of folks from hisphanophone (Spanish Speaking) countries, that were historically colonized by Spain. This term is inclusive to those of Spanish origin. The term Latino, excludes Spain, but includes non-Spanish speaking Latin American countries such as Belize, Brazil, Guyana, and Haiti. Some folks may have ethnic roots from Latin America, and may use either, neither, or both Hispanic and/or Latino.
Want to learn more about Latine and Latinx? Click here.
Interested in learning more history? Click here.
For more information on Mosaic Hispanic/Latin(e/x) resources and other cultural diversity based resources, please email Angelina Jenkins, Assistant Director of The Mosaic, Center for Cultural Diversity at arjenkins@umbc.edu.
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Every election year, ALL IN to Vote hosts a Pledge to Vote leaderboard for university students across the country. UMBC placed #9 in the nation on the leaderboard in 2020. This year, let's reach #1!
Take the pledge, and spread the word. Faculty and staff members can pledge too (but don’t count on the national leaderboard).
And while you are here, if you are eligible and have not registered to vote, use UMBC’s ALL IN voter portal to register before the October 18 deadline. You also can use the portal to check your registration status once you have clicked the link to your state's voter registration website.Suicide is a significant public health concern. Deaths by suicide have been reduced over the years, yet still remain prevalent across the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control, suicide dropped off the list of 10 leading causes of death in 2020 but still remains among the top 15. By understanding how to get help and recognizing the warning signs, action can be taken to help prevent suicide. Keep reading to understand the warning signs, factors that contribute to suicide, factors that reduce the risk of suicide, and helpful resources.
What causes suicide or suicidal attempts?
Typically no one situation, experience, or individual is to blame for suicidal thoughts or suicidal actions. Instead, a range of challenges tends to increase the risk of suicide. Read more from the CDC about circumstances that can increase suicide risk.
Warning Signs and Protective Factors
Along with circumstances that can increase suicide risk, there are also warning signs that you can recognize within yourself and others.
We all experience different emotions, and they can vary in terms of where we fall on the mental health spectrum. Recognize your own feelings and be aware of the frequency, duration, and any changes in patterns of behavior too. Patterns of unusual behavior may be cause for concern.
We can all do our part to help prevent suicide. Communities, individuals, and society can contribute to reducing the risk of suicide by supporting each other.
Different types of factors can help protect against the risk of suicide.
If you or someone else is experiencing thoughts of suicide or suicidal behaviors, here are tips and tools to help you navigate: