Edwin Martinez is the Co-founder & Executive Director of Centro Sanar, a place dedicated to addressing the impact of violence and trauma happening on the Southwest side of Chicago. In this article he shares more on the organization’s work, activism, and how crossing paths with Goldin Institute in 2022 allowed him to expand his network and community impact. Speaking from his experience in providing mental health care to adults and families in Brighton Park, Gage Park, Little Village, and Back of the Yards. Edwin highlights that there is no streamlined approach to crisis management for an acute form of trauma, such as homicidal gun violence.
Initially, he speaks about the multilayered challenges that survivors of gun violence face in their journey toward mental health recovery, and how these two things relate. “This issue intersects, for instance with undocumented populations, or people that are not working, lose work right after the loss of a loved one, or after a gun violence incident, we’re talking about access to insurance- and having it is helpful. Different programs are three to six months out, but what happens after their insurance is terminated because it’s not working? So, this impacts a person’s ability to seek health services, especially in terms of their age, in terms of whether they identify as an adult or a child, but also in the sense of are they insured, are not insured, things of that nature, and also where do they live?” He adds that it’s crucial to have a targeted approach to gun violence in areas where most likely violence would occur and a public mental health approach for sustainable healing resources.
“Youth come from somewhere. And if youth is a reflection of the family, of the community, if you center healthy parents, you also center healthy youth.”
-Edwin Martinez, Executive Director of Centro Sanar
Further, Edwin stresses the importance of addressing basic needs—such as financial stability and housing—before mental health services can be effective, emphasizing that healing begins with meeting these foundational needs. “If survivors were to be able to be stabilized in a financial, safe way that is not associated to quote-unquote mental health, it’s interconnected for sure, but if the person can access resources, not a housing perspective, not a food perspective, on all these different things, our mental health will be, we would be able to do our job more effectively, less therapist.”
On Healing and Finding Better Help
Speaking on what healing looks like, he briefly elaborates on the meaning of the word. “I compromise on what healing looks like. A person’s mental health would be better if we had systems in place that address their immediate needs. If someone is touched by gun violence, there’s financial support or reimbursement in place to make the giving process a lot better. So, they don’t also have to worry about having food.”
“The healing process is addressed when the person does not feel isolated.”
-Edwin Martinez, Executive Director of Centro Sanar
According to him, when a person is impacted by gun violence or homicide, some financial reimbursements can be helpful, but it’s still complicated to navigate. “As an example, if a person were to be able to expedite the victim’s comp reimbursement for their funeral, for loss of employment, for guaranteed rental income, that would make the healing process a lot better.”
He emphasizes that when thinking long-term, and not just about individual therapy, you’re looking at a more robust system- a system that is strong reliable, and able to withstand disruptions. “Then, it is a system where it incorporates family therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, or social support. When a homicide occurs, specifically, that impacts the surviving mother, as an example, you just had a group yesterday, that impacts the surviving mother’s ability to connect with surviving children.”
Creating Inclusive Mental Health Solutions through Collaboration
Acknowledging the vital importance of Centro Sanar in advancing and providing free clinical services to Chicago’s South West Side, he touches upon how the organization addresses the complex trauma experienced by gun violence survivors.
We’ve observed that a public mental health center is crucial, especially for families affected by homicide, who often face insurance instability. These challenges must be considered when developing sustainable approaches to care. This aligns with Centro Sanar’s commitment to addressing systemic issues in public access to mental health services, ensuring that our approach remains focused on long-term solutions.”
Edwin also reflects on his time as a Goldin Fellow, emphasizing the value of connecting with fellow activists to develop more inclusive mental health solutions. “I continue to stay connected with my Goldin Global cohort, particularly those who are nearby, like Guillermo Gutierrez. This network offers us a chance to reflect on our experiences, challenge one another, and collaborate on addressing key mental health issues. Each of us comes from a different community, and our perspectives- especially in areas like Chihuahua- are invaluable in shaping a more comprehensive approach.”
He concludes by urging a shift toward mental health structures that are not only responsive to immediate needs but also designed to support long-term healing and prevention.
You can help Edwin to achieve the goal of developing a community mental health model that provides an alternative to the current mental health industry, by donating to Centro Sanar.
