Joy Medina

Tell us a little bit about yourself …

Hi! My name is Joy Medina. Currently, I am a senior at Vanguard University and will soon be graduating with a Bachelors in Sociology and minor in Social Work. I would say I am a big creative person, I enjoy singing, painting, drawing, crocheting, and really anything that involves using your imagination and labor. At the same time, I have a huge passion for mental health. In my free time, you can usually find me reading a self-help book. My current favorite is called “The Connection Codes by Dr. Glenn & Phyllis Hill. If I could have any dream career, it would have to involve both creativity and therapy of some kind.

What’s your connection to Orange County?

I have been in and around OC all my life. I moved to Orange County when I was 5, before that I was living in San Diego! While I was living in SD, my grandparents actually lived in the house that I currently reside in, so you could say I have known this house and county all my life! Orange County is my home now and I feel like I know it like the back of my hand, it’s great to feel so connected to a place you live. My favorite spot to go is Old Towne Orange Circle!

Share a little bit about your outlook on life …

I am personally one who feels things on a deep level, so I understand what it means to say that life is full of ups and downs. Over my years, I have learned to focus less on myself when I become overwhelmed and more on God. Growing up as a Christian, I’ve learned to always try and place my trust in the Lord over everything. While I’m not perfect, I have definitely seen His hand in my life and understand that everything happens as an opportunity to grow closer to Him.

What’s your favorite book (or two)? Why?

My top favorite has to be the Bible, because it’s full of such wisdom. Other than that, I have so many favorite books! My current one, like I mentioned previously, is The Connection Codes! Some others that I love would be Atomic Habits by James Clear, Trauma Stewardship by Connie Burk and Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, and an escape book would be Dear Evan Hansen!

What’s your favorite self-care activity?

Self-care is really important to me, so I try to always cherish the time I have alone. For me, my favorite self-care activity would be painting or crocheting! Getting lost in creating something individual to me is always so special. On some occasions I even like to go painting in the park because whenever I am immersed in nature I feel extra inspired!

What drew you to community mental health work?

I can’t remember the exact moment that I decided to pursue a mental health career, but I do know that the pandemic has affected us all so much in different ways regarding our mental health. I know that during lockdown, it gave me time to really focus on reading more and practicing self-care like exercising and eating well. However, on the other hand I have experienced increased stress and anxiety as school shifted toward online only. The pandemic brought greater stress than good, but from this I realized just how important it is to practice self-care and be educated surrounding the topic of mental wellness. Only from what you learn and engage in can you outpour and then help others!

What role does art play in your life and in your mental health?

Art plays a huge role! Anyone who knows me knows I have a huge passion for art and how it can relate to mental health. I try to find time every week to create something whether that be drawing or coloring with my nieces or pulling out my supplies and painting something. For me, art and mental health go hand in hand! It provides an outlet for me to express the way I feel without verbally writing something out or speaking.

What led you to studying Sociology at Vanguard University?

My freshman year of college I chose Psychology as my major, however in the second semester I discovered that Sociology was a little more interesting and broader for me. I made the switch because I have always had such a passion for helping others and being able to do so while incorporating a broader perspective on humanity seemed like the route for me.

What’s that experience been like? What have you gained from your experience?

As a senior Sociology major, I am able to look back on my education journey and feel grateful for all that I have learned regarding how society works and continues to evolve. One thing that I will take with me from my experience at Vanguard would be the importance of integrating faith within everything that I do, especially in my future career.

What are three of your favorite things you’ve learned in your time at Vanguard?

Three of my favorite things that I have learned at Vanguard would be how important my faith is, the value of connecting with others, and how much this world needs more mindful people (especially in the workplace). I took a class called “Managing Crisis” and in it, we talked about the importance of knowing how to stay engaged and hopeful when working in the helping profession. It’s so easy to become disengaged or burnt out in a career now, so it’s important to find the balance that works for you in order to benefit your mental health.

How did you get involved with Connect-OC, and what have you found valuable about the experience?

I actually discovered Connect-OC from my sister-in-law who was a former intern for the team! She reached out to me informing me that there was an opening to become an intern and I jumped on the opportunity because it felt like a perfect choice for me. Being a part of Connect-OC, I have found it very valuable to know more about how to work as a team to network to ages 16-24 with helpful mental health resources and putting an end to the stigma surrounding mental health. I’ve also loved the opportunities to be able to go to in-person events because that is where you truly get to stay connected with your community.

Why is it valuable to attend community mental health events?

It’s valuable to attend community mental health events because you can make important connections with others! It’s so crucial to get to know others because the more people you know, the more secure you will feel in your community! It’s all about networking and understanding that there are helpful resources out there if you need them!