The Latinx Student Psychological Association hosted an arts and crafts social in which attendees created their very own muñeca quitapena on Tuesday.
Muñecas quitapenas, known in English as “worry dolls,” are handmade totems that have the power of exchanging worries for wisdom overnight, according to a Mayan legend. Children place the dolls under their pillows when they go to sleep and wake up with the knowledge to solve their problems.
Emilio Lara, a board member of Latinx Student Psychological Association, shared that as a child his mother always encouraged him to share his problems.
“It was just the importance of expressing yourself and vocalizing all your problems in order for them to be materialized,” said Lara. “To just feel that you can actually do something about them.”
Dolls crafted out of wool, wire, yarn and cloth serve as an emblem of Guatemala.
According to Common Hope, an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for under resourced communities in Guatemala,the worry doll has its origin in a local legend about Ixmucané, the Mayan goddess of corn crops.
According to the Mayan story of creation, Popol Vuh the first attempts of bringing humans to life failed because they were made of rock and mud. Upon the third attempt, Ixmucané suggested mankind be made of corn and humanity came to life.
Ixmucané transformed to reincarnate the hand-sized dolls made by artisans who affirm the belief of accompanying humanity and helping rid them of their worries.
Rebeca Vasconez, a club member, said a worry doll is a good outlet for people to relieve their stress,pointing out that it is cheaper than paying a therapist.
While CSUF offers medical resources free-of-charge dedicated to assisting students in time of need on campus, in her experience, they did not accommodate to student life.
“I tried to make a meeting at the (Counseling and Psychological Services) Center, and I called at 2 p.m., and she said, ‘Oh no, sorry. We are booked for the day’,” said Vasconez. “So I called the next day and they said ‘We’re already booked within the first 10 minutes.’”
Dolls are often used in modern pediatrics and psychology as agents between children and parents, therapists and educators, according to the presentation.
“This practice highlights how different cultures approach mental health,” Lara said.
Jacqueline Montero, president of the Latinx Student Psychological Association said although none of the members are of Guatemalan heritage, the activity was selected on the basis that it was Latinx.
“We specifically chose this because it has to do with mental health,” said Montero. “We are the Latinx Psychological Association, with psychology being one of our main focuses, so that’s what initially led us to this.”
The event was also organized to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated amongst all Latinx cultures from Sept. 15-Oct. 15.
The field of psychology is not ethnically diverse, according to Montero.
“I don’t think there’s enough representation in the psychology department for people of color in general, not just Latinx,” said Montero.
It was found that the racial and ethnic composition of active psychologists working in the field was 84% white in 2016, according to a report from the American Psychological Association.
“It’s been around for quite some while to ‘talk about your problems.’ And it’s important to have these things,” Lara said. “They really help you release all the tension that you have, and being students, we all can relate to having more than one worry a day. So it’s nice to have this to be able to just breathe.”
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