Doctoral Candidate, Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Community Health Worker Instructor, and Doctoral Candidate
UTHealth Houston School of Public Health
Austin, Texas
While enrolled as a Doctor of Public Student in Health Promotion and Health Education, I became certified as a Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor (YMHFA) and Community Health Worker Instructor with the aim of being a health educator in my local community of Austin, Texas. I teach YMHFA locally and virtually across Texas and the U.S.
Much of my research, including my doctoral dissertation, focuses on identifying the environmental protective factors for adolescent mental health and well-being. I believe that school connectedness is directly related to the focus of YMHFA, with its skill-building in social support and seeing early of mental health signs and symptoms in adolescents. While I teach many types of community members and public health graduate students, my passion is for sharing the ALGEE Action Plan, building on its core skills with K-12 teachers and school staff, and having Mental Health First Aiders found in every Texas school.
Prior to returning to graduate school for public health in 2020, I worked as a communications lead for Texas Health and Human Services behavioral health programs and as a health writer and consultant to specialty healthcare practices, including the U.S. Oncology Network. My prior training and career are as a marketing research and communications leader. While I am not working or studying, I am raising three adolescents of my own.
MP17 - Youth Mental Health First Aid and Improving School Connectedness
Monday, May 5, 2025
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM ET