The mental health gap is massive—150 million people go without care.

Low-income families and Spanish-speaking communities feel it most.

For millions of people across the United States, finding help feels impossible. More than 150 million Americans struggle without enough mental health professionals in their communities—a crisis felt in daily lives.

But there’s a solution hiding in plain sight: art therapy.

Want to know how it reduces anxiety by 25% and connects with people in ways traditional care doesn’t?

For Liliana De Abreu, this crisis isn’t just a statistic—it’s a reality she’s faced firsthand.

As the founder and CEO of Lilu’s Crafts, she turned her own experiences with mental health into a mission to help others.

Her work isn’t about offering temporary fixes. It’s about creating lasting impact through art and empowerment.

Turning Struggles Into Solutions

Liliana’s story is deeply relatable. She launched her finance career in Venezuela, achieving roles like Division Head in the Ministry of Ground Transportation. On paper, her life looked accomplished.

But beneath the surface, she struggled with anxiety, depression, and the constant pressure to perform. It’s a feeling many people know too well—the sense that, even when you’re achieving, something is missing.

When she immigrated to the U.S., those challenges didn’t go away. Instead, they deepened. Leaving behind her family, career, and the familiar comfort of home, she faced the daunting task of rebuilding her life from the ground up.

For Liliana, traditional mental health resources didn’t feel accessible. They seemed clinical and disconnected from the emotional weight she carried. It was through art that she began to heal.

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What started as a personal outlet became a turning point. Art wasn’t just an activity—it was a way to process, rebuild, and rediscover.

Empowering Communities Through Art

In 2019, Liliana took what had helped her and created something that could help others. Lilu’s Crafts began as a small project, crafting symbolic sculptures meant to inspire strength.

But over time, it grew into a comprehensive program that uses therapy of art to address mental health challenges in vulnerable communities.

Art therapy works because it speaks to something deeper, reducing anxiety by 25%, as highlighted.

For many of Liliana’s participants—especially Spanish-speaking immigrants—this approach creates a sense of safety and connection they’ve never experienced before.

Her workshops allow participants to express themselves without directly discussing their pain, lowering barriers to seeking help.

Breaking Mental Health Barriers

The mental health crisis in the U.S. can feel overwhelming, especially for those who don’t see themselves reflected in the system.

For low-income families, rural populations, and immigrants, the obstacles are everywhere.

Language barriers, stigma, and lack of access create a perfect storm of inaction.

That’s where Liliana’s work stands out. Her programs are bilingual, culturally sensitive, and rooted in an understanding of what it feels like to be in her participants’ shoes.

She knows the courage it takes to ask for help when you’ve been taught to keep your struggles to yourself. Her workshops are designed to meet people where they are—physically, emotionally, and culturally.

Lilu’s Crafts isn’t just a program. It’s a bridge between communities, and this is more than the resources they deserve.

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The Power of Creativity

One of the reasons Liliana’s work is so effective is her ability to combine creativity with strategy. Her background in finance equips her to manage and grow her programs sustainably, while also teaching others to do the same.

She doesn’t just focus on healing. She empowers participants to take control of their futures. For some, that means learning how to turn their art into a source of income. For others, it means gaining the confidence to take the next step in their personal journey.

By blending creativity with financial expertise, Liliana takes a holistic approach to mental health. Her methods address emotional well-being and provide tangible tools for stability and independence.

Participants leave with more than healing—they gain a renewed sense of purpose and a path to self-reliance.

This dual focus on emotional and practical support sets Lilu’s Crafts apart. It’s not just about feeling better—it’s about building a possible life.

Leading a Healing Movement

Her workshops have transformed hundreds of lives, giving participants the strength to heal, a voice to express themselves, and a community to lean on.

But her influence doesn’t stop there. Liliana collaborates with community leaders, educators, and organizations to expand access to art therapy and mental health support. Her advocacy brings the experiences of overlooked communities into national conversations on mental health.

From Challenges to Change

Building on her journey, Liliana’s vision is ambitious yet firmly grounded in her experiences. She plans to expand Lilu’s Crafts nationally, reaching more communities and bringing art therapy to people who might never have considered it an option.

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Digital platforms will play a key role in this growth, allowing her to connect with individuals in remote areas with scarce resources.

Liliana also envisions partnerships with schools, community centers, and healthcare providers to integrate therapy into broader wellness initiatives.

By fostering collaboration and creating accessible programs, she aims to ensure that creativity becomes a vital part of the mental health conversation. Her vision is one of inclusion, impact, and transformative change.

Finding Healing Through Art Therapy

At its core, Liliana’s story is about connection. She understands what it’s like to feel overwhelmed, unseen, and unsure where to turn.

Through her work, she offers a reminder that healing doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, it starts with something as simple as picking up a pencil or shaping clay with your hands.

Her programs show that mental health care doesn’t have to feel clinical or out of reach. It can be personal. It can be creative. It can be for you.