Christian Dela Cruz

Tell us a little bit about yourself …

My name is Christian Dela Cruz, I am currently a 4th year at Cal State Fullerton studying psychology. After graduating from CSUF, I plan to go to nursing school in hopes to become an RN. I enjoy being very active such as playing sports like basketball, volleyball, etc. I also love to eat chicken. I am also both an introvert and an extrovert when I want to be.

What’s your connection to Orange County?

My connection to Orange County is that I moved here from NorCal about 2 years ago. I currently live in Irvine. I like the area here a lot, I miss home at times but I also like it out here in SoCal.

Share a little bit about your outlook on life …

My outlook on life is to live one day at a time, I try not to stress myself out and surround myself with people who only support or bring positivity into my life.

What’s your favorite book?

My favorite book is Eleanor & Park, but I mostly read a lot of poetry books. I tend to find other poets very fascinating.

What’s your favorite self-care activity?

My favorite self-care activity would be listening to music, writing, or being physically active such as basketball.

What drew you to community mental health work?

I was drawn to the mental health work within my community because I personally know how hard it can be when you are struggling with mental health challenges alone, so I want to help others who are struggling with it.

What drew you to the arts?

I was drawn into the arts in high school, my best friend at the time was the person who really encouraged me to draw more, paint more, and write more. In doing so, I actually created my own poetry book and published it.

What artistic mediums do you personally use? How did you begin using them?

My artistic medium would be writing, I am most passionate about writing poetry.

What role does art play in supporting your own mental wellness?

Art played a big role in my life, before I did struggle with mental health challenges and writing (poetry) helped me out in a big way.

What made you decide to intern with Connect-OC?

I decided to intern with Connect-OC as their aim and goal towards the younger generation really caught my eye. I think that lending a helping hand to the young generation can benefit us and the future as well as we can promote mental health and the importance of seeking help for those who are afraid to ask.

Why attend community mental health events, like those hosted by Connect-OC?

I attend community mental health events like those hosted