As a Haitian-American and a mental health professional, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to talk about mental health in our culture.
In Caribbean communities, seeking help is often seen as unnecessary or even shameful. But I’m here to challenge that idea.
In episode 17 of the podcast, I sat down with Dr. Eva Beaulieu — a Haitian-born physician, author, and mental health advocate — to talk about the silence surrounding mental health, the role of faith, and how we can embrace both our cultural pride and the support we need to thrive.
Meet Dr. Eva Beaulieu
Dr. Eva was born and raised in Haiti until she moved to the United States at age 15. She went on to medical school, became a physician, and built a career focused on representation, empowerment, and community care.
She shares, “I wrote a couple of books to help generations coming behind me to know that they can make it in the medical field and have a life. I’m really passionate about diversity in health care and showing girls out there that they can have a fulfilling career and still be happy.”
Her story is proof that you can honor your cultural roots while paving the way for change.
Cultural Roots & Silence
If you grew up in the Caribbean, you’ve probably seen what Dr. Eva and I have seen: families that are resilient on the outside, but quiet about their struggles on the inside.
As she explained, “Haitian people are known for their resilience, and that’s not because we’re not suffering on the inside. You’re not allowed to show the world that you’re depressed or going through it. You have to put a smile on your face, put on your best outfit, and act like everything is all good. And we pass this on from generation to generation — it’s very harmful.”
That silence has shaped us. But we can break it.
“Prayer Solves Everything” — Faith, Stigma & Avoidance
Faith is central to Haitian culture. Like many of you, I was raised to turn to prayer for everything.
Prayer brings peace, hope, and connection. But as Dr. Eva reminded us, it cannot be the only solution.
“We use prayer for a lot of things, but where it causes harm is when we say to pray everything off,”* she said. “You can’t just pray away a disease or pray away depression. We need to have the conversation that it’s not one or the other. You can use prayer and therapy.”
This is not about losing faith. It’s about embracing all of the resources God has given us — including mental health professionals.
This is a strong start — warm, approachable, and action-oriented. But with a few tweaks, it can sound more professional, polished, and reassuring while still keeping your personal touch.
If you need to speak with a therapist and aren’t sure where to turn, I invite you to reach out. Scheduling a consultation with me is the first step toward understanding your needs and exploring how I can best support you.
Pretending Everything is Fine — Image & Emotional Suppression
One of the biggest barriers I see in our community is the pressure to pretend.
Dr. Eva put it plainly: “It’s not just patients; it’s everyone — aunties, cousins, friends. Everybody looks like they have the perfect life, so when you’re going through something, you feel like you’re the only one. That’s very harmful because life has ups and downs. There are so many resources out there, but we’re willing to suffer just to pretend everything’s okay.”
Her advice? Start small. “Open up a little bit to someone you trust — a best friend, pastor, or therapist. Slowly, you’ll feel more comfortable expressing yourself.”
That’s how generational cycles of silence begin to break.
Cultural Assimilation — Bridging the Gap Without Losing Identity
As immigrants and children of immigrants, many of us know what it feels like to live in two worlds.
Dr. Eva described it beautifully: “At home, you keep your Haitian traditions, respect your elders, speak the language. But once you step outside, you’re in America, where expression and therapy are encouraged. Sometimes it’s confusing. But just because you have both worlds doesn’t mean you have to choose one over the other. You can live the best of both.”
This is powerful not just for us, but for the next generation. When our children see us embracing both cultures, they learn that their identity doesn’t have to be divided.
Resilience on the Surface, Pain Beneath
As Caribbean people, we carry strength, faith, and resilience. But we must also give ourselves permission to be vulnerable.
Dr. Eva left us with this wisdom: “Don’t believe the hype when people only show their highlight reels. Everyone is going through something. You’re not alone. And therapy isn’t just for a crisis — it can be a preventative tool. Life is hard, and having support can make all the difference.”
My hope is that you’ll take this to heart. Mental health is not a weakness. It is part of being human.
And when we honor both our cultural roots and our emotional needs, we create a healthier path forward — for ourselves, our families, and our communities.
You can connect with Dr. Eva Beaulieu on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook at @DoctorEvaB, or find her on YouTube under her full name.