The Paris Project- Mental Health Heros: Recent Episodes
Carolina Nazario
The Paris Project is an initiative focused on raising awareness about mental health disparities in BIPOC communities through the sharing of resources. On this podcast, we are going to amplify the voices of BIPOC youth mental health activists. Listen up and learn something new about mental health awareness!
Hello everyone! Today I sat down and had a wonderful conversation with Juan Acosta. Juan Acosta is a 23 year old mental health + LGBTQ+ advocate who serves on national committees, speaks at conferences and festivals. He is a NYT Bestselling author for a book co-authored with Lady Gaga. He currently serves as an Assistant manager of the CA Warm Line. We talked about all things mental health advocacy including challenges, identity, and finding ourselves within advocacy. Please feel free to take some time and listen to these great conversations.
Hello everyone! Today on The Paris Project-Mental Health Heros we sat with Abigayle Peterson. She is a freshman at Western Washington University in the Honors Program & National Science Foundation funded Computer Science / Math Scholars Program majoring in computer science. She is also a published writer, undergraduate machine-learning researcher, and incoming technology intern at Bank of America. Abigayle coded Magnify Wellness using her passion for mobile technology and AI to uplift the stories of the unheard in order to ensure equal access to mental health support.
Hello everyone! Today we are discussing mental health, social justice, and advocacy with Cyn Gomez. Cyn Gómez is an 18-year-old freshman at UC Berkeley. Cyn’s pronouns are they/them and he/his and has dedicated the last four years of their lives to doing good for their local community in Baldwin Park, CA, and hopes to continue to make a difference. Cyn is passionate about being an ally to different underserved communities, as well as, continues to work for causes like stronger gun regulations in the US, women’s rights, police reform/abolition, LGBTQ+ rights, and mental health to name a few. But to focus on the work they’ve done for the mental health community, Cyn is a part of a non-profit called Tangible Movement where we are hoping to change the conversation on mental health by sharing personal stories, also, Cyn has been an ambassador for LivingWorks, an organization working to change the conversation of mental health in educational spaces, as well as, serves as a council member for Mental Health America. With Cyn’s own experiences with self-harm, imposter syndrome, and unhealthy eating habits throughout their teen years, they are always looking for new ways to help the local and national conversation include everyone. A few of Cyn’s hobbies are public speaking, reading, and listening to podcasts. They hope to pursue a career in civil/human rights law and hopes to become a civil servant, in an effort to make the future more accessible, equitable, and just. One of Cyn’s favorite quotes is, “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek” spoken by President Obama in 2008.
Hello everyone! Today, I was able to sit down with Phoebe. At 17 years old Phoebe Omonira is not only heavily involved in her school and community but is using her voice to raise awareness about Mental Health and Empathy for Gen Z Youth everywhere. Founder of Hyphenated Identities (launching in 2021) Phoebe is actively working to create resources and safe spaces for youth with hyphenated identities. As a Nigerian-American her life experiences at times were opposite those of her seen peers. Which is why she is devoted to creating brave and safe spaces for youth everywhere. Her advocacy work regarding Empathy is aimed at creating resources for parents to teach their kids. As she believes that mental wellness and empathetic practices are the foundation needed to address our world’s problems. She is currently the Community Outreach Director at Gen Z Girlgang, working to empower Women and Femmes around the world. As well as a 2021 Fellow of CivicsUnplugged, working to better our nation’s democracy. And is on the Board of the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. She serves her community as the THS National Honor Society President, as well as the President of Rotary International Interact Service Club THS chapter. As a Youth Member of the United Nations Association, she loves to connect with a community of like minded Global Changemakers. Her passions stem from her personal experiences with her cultural identity, mental health and wellness practices, as well as her belief in the power of empathy to change the world.