Aaron Hernandez to assist MSPP in advancing Dr. Cynthia Lucero Latino Mental Health Program
April 24, 2011
By Greg A. Bedard
The hip is doing fine and he’ll be at full strength soon, but right now Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez has more important things on his mind.
Hernandez will be hosting two events in the area on Friday to help put a spotlight on the lack of mental health professionals available to the Hispanic population in this country.
Fairly heady stuff for a football player who won’t turn 22 until November. But Hernandez didn’t hesitate when he was approached.
“I thought it would be a great opportunity since I’m Hispanic, and it’s just a great charity for me to be involved with because they’re geared toward training mental health specialists to work with the Hispanic population.’’ Hernandez said.
Hernandez, who is of Puerto Rican descent, is teaming with the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology (MSPP) to raise money for the Dr. Cynthia Lucero Latino Mental Health Program.
“Less than 2 percent of mental health professionals in this country are trained to deliver language and culturally sensitive care to Spanish-speaking persons,’’ said Nicholas Covino, president of MSPP. “The Lucero training program is one of very few graduate schools that is working to correct this injustice.
“When professionals like Mr. Hernandez lend their celebrity to a cause like this, it raises awareness and calls attention to a significant mental health problem. MSPP is grateful to this young man for his generosity and personal commitment to improving access to mental health care for all persons.’’
Since losing his father, Dennis, to complications from hernia surgery in 2006, Hernandez has used psychology to help him get through some tough times.
It’s not every day that you hear a professional athlete, who lives in a realm in which any sign of weakness is frowned upon, admit to seeking professional help.
But despite their sometimes superhuman performances on the field, they are not invincible off it. At times, they need assistance just like everyone else.
“I’ve been through a lot in my life and I used psychologists along the way,’’ Hernandez said. “There are not enough psychologists to help kids, especially in the Hispanic community. I feel like I could be an influence in a lot of kids’ lives by being involved in this charity.’’
Hernandez will influence more than a few on Friday afternoon when he’ll speak to 120 children and their parents at the Gardner Pilot Academy in Allston, where Hispanics make up 70 percent of the student body.
Hernandez wants to convey to the children that they should seek out someone they trust when they’re sad, frightened, or angry, they should learn to love themselves, and that taking care of their bodies and minds is very important.
“There are a lot of young kids that don’t have that guardian or role model to talk to or that person that they can go to and just lay everything out,’’ Hernandez said. “Sometimes the psychologist, when you have no one around you, can be there for you and be that person you let your feelings out to, the person that you can talk to and can give you guidance in making the right decisions when you really don’t have the right people there to help you with those big decisions in life.’’
On Friday evening, Hernandez will co-host the Supporting the Lucero Legacy event in Newton with some political heavy hitters: Boston’s mayor, Thomas M. Menino, state senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, and state representatives Elizabeth Malia and Jeffrey Sanchez.
Hernandez, a native of Bristol, Conn., wants to be active in the community in Massachusetts, which he now calls home.
“I want to give back to the community and help others,’’ he said. “I feel like it’s important to be a role model and I feel like I can be a role model to a lot of these kids, whether they’re Hispanic or not. But knowing that I am Hispanic and this is a huge Hispanic event, I feel like I could be a role model and be that person a lot of kids can look up to to achieve success in their life.’’
Hernandez is only in this position because of the impact he had on the field as a rookie last season, when he caught 45 passes for 563 yards and six touchdowns.
But after the season, Hernandez had surgery on his right hip.
“I’m starting to run now and I feel great.’’ he said.
He’s been rehabbing next to Gillette Stadium (Hernandez emphasized next to because of players being prohibited from working out at team facilities during the lockout) at the Massachusetts General Hospital Sports Performance Center.
Hernandez missed the final two games of the regular season because of his injury, and caught one pass for 4 yards in the playoff loss to the Jets.
“There was pain here and there but it was something I could fight through and make my way to finish the season,’’ he said. “It’s something that got taken care of and I can’t wait until next season.
“I feel like I had a decent season. I still have a lot to learn and I feel like I still have a long ways for my full potential to be shown in the NFL. But I feel like I’m happy where it’s at now and I’m looking forward to season after season.’’
Hernandez declined to get specific about the injury. A league source said it was a minor procedure to clean out the hip, which had bothered him since college.
“I was just laid up for a couple days right after surgery,’’ Hernandez said. “I’m not running full-out now because I’m still getting it right, but I’m sure when we get back to training camp I’ll be fine.’’
As for any potential lockout workouts between the receivers and quarterback Tom Brady, Hernandez said he wasn’t aware that any are planned.
With his rehab ongoing, Hernandez likely wouldn’t be able to participate. So his impact on the field is a ways off. That’s part of the reason he’s making a difference off it.
“I’m really excited to be involved with this.’’ Hernandez said of the Lucero training program.
For more information on the event, call 617-327-6777, ext. 419, or go to the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology - 2011 Gala.
