Blog

November 2021

Christian Dela Cruz

A goal of the Connect-OC Coalition is to highlight the voices and work of young adults advocating for mental health and wellness. In this interview we speak with Christian Dela Cruz. Christian is a student at Cal State Fullerton studying psychology. In this interview Christian shares with us about his artistic passion for poetry and how writing became a way from him to address his own mental wellness.

September 2021

Vivi Vu

A goal of the Connect-OC Coalition is to highlight the voices and work of young adults advocating for mental health and wellness. In this interview we speak with Vivi Vu. Vivi is a student at CSULB studying Health Sciences with a focus in Community Health. In this interview Vivi shares with us how games, various forms of art, and doing things that make her happy have helped with her mental health and development as a person.

August 2021

Laila Nahas

A goal of the Connect-OC Coalition is to highlight the voices and work of young adults advocating for mental health and wellness. In this interview we speak with Laila, a local high school junior, active in peer mental health support at her school and in the community. In this interview Laila shares with us about her outlook on life, the role art plays for her as a means of self-care, and her experience as a leader with HOPE Squad locally and at the national level.

July 2021

Sarah Petrus

A goal of the Connect-OC Coalition is to highlight the voices and work of young adults advocating for mental health and wellness. In this interview we speak with Sarah Petrus, former Connect-OC intern and new Connect-OC Health Educator! Sarah is a recent graduate from Cal State Long Beach with a Bachelor’s in Community Health Science and a high school leader with the high school ministry at Arbor Road Church in Long Beach. In this interview Sarah shares with us about her outlook on life, experience with mental health struggles, and what she has learned so far from working in the mental health field.

June 2021

Saoud Moon

A goal of the Connect-OC Coalition is to highlight the voices and work of young adults advocating for mental health and wellness. In this interview we speak with Saoud.  Saoud is a 17 year old high school student in Irvine and works with Crossroads Initiative. Here is a quote from Saoud "I feel the only thing that matters is how we impact people when we are on this planet. For me specifically, I want to help with issues around mental health. I hate that kids, especially little boys, feel afraid to open up about their issues because of the fact that they do not want to seem "weak." I hope to do a lot of work in the mental health field that fights towards reducing that problem."

May 2021

Polly Peng

A goal of the Connect-OC Coalition is to highlight the voices and work of young adults advocating for mental health and wellness. In this interview we speak with Polly, an international student who came to the US four years ago. In this interview Polly shares with us a little about herself, her favorite self-care activity, and about her experience with interning at The Mental Health Association of Orange County.

May 2021

Anneliese Silvestre

A goal of the Connect-OC Coalition is to highlight the voices and work of young adults advocating for mental health and wellness. In this interview we speak with Anneliese.  Anneliese is 17 years old and currently a senior in high school.  She shares with us a little about her positive outlook on life and about her experience with interning at The Mental Health Association of Orange County.

April 2021

Marissa Munoz

A goal of the Connect-OC Coalition is to highlight the voices and work of young adults advocating for mental health and wellness. In this interview we speak with Marissa Munoz who is a current college student at Cypress College and has been an intern with Connect-OC since Fall 2020. Marissa shares with us about her goals, why she is an advocate for mental health, and the experience she has gained through her internship with Connect-OC.

March 2021

Autumn Smithers

A goal of the Connect-OC Coalition is to highlight the voices and work of young adults advocating for mental health and wellness. Coinciding with our event on March 16, 2021 focusing on the intersection of mental health and student athletics we’re kicking-off this new feature with an interview with Autumn Smithers, a mental health advocate and professional soccer player with the Portland Thorns!