During the interviews for her book, We Belong: An Anthology of Colombian Women Coffee Farmers, Lucia Bawot kept hearing the same powerful confession:

"This is my first time telling anyone this. I feel so relieved."

Again and again, women opened up about their deepest struggles. What began as interviews often turned into emotional releases—resembling therapy sessions. Lucia, who has personally struggled with her mental health, realized she wasn’t just documenting stories; she was witnessing an urgent, unmet need. These women needed access to mental health care—safe spaces where they could process emotions and trauma without judgment, receive professional guidance, and develop tools to care for their well-being.

No one can thrive—personally or professionally—without emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. Yet, for many women coffee farmers, mental health care remains out of reach. Mental illness is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and women face disproportionate risks. One in five women experiences mental health challenges, compared to one in eight men. In coffee-farming communities, women face systemic gender inequities—such as workload disparities, unpaid labor, and higher rates of domestic violence— exacerbating  these challenges. Furthermore, the stigma surrounding mental health in rural communities makes it even harder for women to seek help.

Motivated by this reality, Lucia launched a five-month pilot program called Beans to Minds to provide accessible and integrative mental health care & wellness to 39 women coffee farmers and pickers. Funded 60% by proceeds from We Belong and 40% by donations, the program proved not only essential but also effective and scalable. SANA builds on the success of Beans to Minds, offering accessible and integrative mental health care and wellness programs for women in coffee farming that integrates teletherapy sessions, prioritizes education and community support, creates and fosters spaces where women break cycles of silence, gain agency, and improve their well-being.