Her Story
About Vanessa
I'm born and raised in the Bronx, and the Bronx is one of the most underrepresented districts in America. As someone who has lived experiences in the past, I've learned how to turn my lived experiences into purpose. Through this, I've been able to do a lot of advocacy in regards to mental health access within the Bronx and underrepresented areas in the neighborhood. I help run a mental health pipeline program in the Bronx, in collaboration with Montefiore-Einstein hospital, which is actually the hospital I was born at. Through this program, I serve as the outreach coordinator and connect individuals in the program to mental health leaders in the field. We do a lot of volunteering opportunities and community engagement, especially in the Bronx, to bring mental health awareness to individuals. I work with two different nonprofits and recently wrapped up an internship with the Mayor's Office of Community Mental Health, where I had the opportunity to participate in a research study on peer support workers that will be published by the end of this year. I also helped develop different policies, including a virtual reality mental health training for clinicians and peer support workers. I'm part of youth policy councils at both the city and state levels - at the city level, I'm part of the National 988 Youth Mental Health Policy Council in collaboration with Vibrant Emotional Wellness, and at the state level, I represent NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness). I'm currently developing a policy memo to create a mental health pipeline program at NYU that I'll be presenting to City Council Chair Tiffany Kaban, and I'm helping to organize a Youth Mental Health Summit at NYU this summer. As a first-generation Hispanic from an underrepresented community, I've been able to build my way up and leave a lasting impact in my community while empowering the future generation.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Vanessa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would attribute my successes to being from the Bronx, because I feel like the Bronx is very underrepresented and it's always overshadowed by the other boroughs. Throughout these four years, it's made me very prideful to be from the Bronx. As someone who is a first-generation Hispanic coming from an underrepresented community, I was able to build my way up and leave a lasting impact to individuals in my community, and of course, empower the future generation as well.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One thing I learned throughout my four years is that in order to grow in life, you have to place yourself in an uncomfortable position. I feel like as a college student, it's really overwhelming to put yourself out there because you're scared of facing rejection, but by putting yourself out there, you're going to be exposed to different individuals who are actually willing to help you and are more than happy to help you grow in your trajectory. That's exactly what I did. As someone who is very shy, I've learned to kind of just put myself out there and build my own brand for myself as someone who is very passionate about mental health, and of course, tying in the public service side with my passions in mental health has truly came a long way.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say one advice is to just put yourself out there. In order to grow, you have to place yourself in an uncomfortable position, so just putting yourself out there and always being true to your values as well is so essential.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
In regards to the current administration, about a couple months ago, the Trump administration had mentioned that careers in either social work or careers in counseling are considered unprofessional, which is so frustrating because they are such crucial people that help individuals who are facing crisis and who are having mental health struggles. These people are such an essential foundation to communities as well. This is something that's really unfortunate, and I strive to help empower individuals in these fields because it's not easy at the end of the day. They go through so much, and especially after what was told, they need all the support as possible.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I would say one of my key values is discipline. Being disciplined in my work, at school, and even in the positions that I hold in the youth advisory boards and at my previous internship as well.
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