Mental Health

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the entire world into isolation, I was often the go-to person for many of my friends struggling with their mental health. From long bike rides to late night calls, I would listen to their stories and feel frustrated: Why couldn’t they receive better help? Why did their families not view mental health as a serious issue?

Since then, I’ve worked to expand mental health access in my school and beyond. While much progress has been made in destigmatizing mental health, there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure access for individuals regardless of their income.

Bring Change to Mind

  • Lead a team of 15 students in collaborating with the student counseling office to develop programs and run events promoting positive mental health.

  • Partnered with Outlet to raise awareness about LGBTQ+ youth and mental health to underclassmen

  • Brought in speakers from Freedom from Chemical Dependency and the Hazeldon Betty Ford Foundation to talk to upperclassmen about drug abuse and how to prevent addiction

  • Held annual mental health seminar where students and faculty shared their stories to help destigmatize mental health

  • Hold yearly wellness weeks to help students destress during exam weeks

  • Spread mental health resources to the entire community

Photos (clockwise from top left): Bring Change to Mind members presenting about mental health stigma to middle schoolers; members with new destress kits; middle schoolers participating in the lesson; students writing compliments for the compliment wall.

allcove

I currently serve on the Youth Advisory Group to allcove, which aims to provide a chain of integrated, affordable mental health services for youth aged 12-25. I helped plan and open allcove’s first mental health clinic in San Mateo to help serve the peninsula from South San Francisco to San Mateo.

Photo: allcove San Mateo center under construction!