Novelist Ariana Godoy Tackles Mental Health Struggles in Spanish

Godoy's bestselling young adult novel 'Sigue Mi Voz' gives a voice to Latino readers dealing with anxiety and trauma.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 7:04pm

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A softly blurred, abstract scene of a solitary figure in a dimly lit room, conveying a sense of emotional vulnerability and the personal journey of mental health recovery.The intimate, introspective tone of Ariana Godoy's novel 'Sigue Mi Voz' captures the personal struggle of navigating mental health challenges as a young Latino.Today in Raleigh

Ariana Godoy, a Venezuelan-born novelist based in Raleigh, North Carolina, has found international success through her self-published stories on the reading platform Wattpad. After signing with major publishers, Godoy drew from her own experiences with mental health challenges to write her 2016 novel 'Sigue Mi Voz,' which follows a young protagonist navigating anxiety and agoraphobia. The book has resonated with millions of Spanish-speaking readers worldwide, providing a much-needed perspective on mental illness in the Latino community.

Why it matters

Godoy's work highlights the lack of representation and open discussion around mental health issues in Latino culture, where topics like anxiety and depression are often stigmatized or misunderstood. By sharing her personal story through her fiction, she aims to start helpful conversations and provide support for young readers struggling with similar challenges.

The details

After her father's sudden death, Godoy experienced severe panic attacks and agoraphobia, but lacked the clinical language and resources to understand what she was going through. This inspired her to write 'Sigue Mi Voz,' featuring a protagonist named Klara who grapples with trauma and mental illness. Godoy wanted the book to reach readers in the Latino community who may be experiencing similar responses to grief and loss without access to proper care and support.

  • Godoy began drafting 'Sigue Mi Voz' in 2016, one year after moving to Raleigh, North Carolina.
  • The novel was published in 2016 and has since gained over 2 million online followers and 850 million reads.

The players

Ariana Godoy

A Venezuelan-born novelist based in Raleigh, North Carolina, who has found international success through her self-published stories on the reading platform Wattpad and her subsequent partnerships with major publishers.

Klara Rodriguez

The young protagonist of Godoy's novel 'Sigue Mi Voz,' who grapples with trauma and mental illness after experiencing the sudden loss of a parent.

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What they’re saying

“It was more about finding those Arianas that were out there that had no idea, especially in the Latino community, what a panic attack looked like, what it felt like. You feel like you are going to die. I ended up in the emergency room so many times with no answers, with a clean bill of health. So as I was writing, I was like, 'OK, this is the book that I would have liked to have when I was going through my process.'”

— Ariana Godoy, Novelist

What’s next

Godoy continues to engage with her dedicated readership, keeping her novels available for free on Wattpad and encouraging aspiring writers to explore different pathways to publication. She also remains committed to using her platform to amplify underrepresented voices and start important conversations around mental health.

The takeaway

Ariana Godoy's personal journey and the success of her novel 'Sigue Mi Voz' highlight the power of storytelling to destigmatize mental health issues, especially within the Latino community. By sharing her own experiences with anxiety and trauma, Godoy has given a voice to countless young readers struggling with similar challenges and inspired them to seek the support and understanding they need.