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Name: Alexis G. Armendariz
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: |
BS- Biochemistry/Criminal Justice |
| Hometown/State/Country: | I was born and raised in CD. Juarez Chihuahua, but also raised, and have lived for many years, here in Las Cruces, NM. |
| Why did you join the program? | I wanted to be a part of this mental health advocacy program because I believe that encouraging connection among people from various backgrounds, lifestyles, and improving culturally appropriate access to care can help reduce some of the factors that contribute to mental health disparities. As an immigrant myself, I understand and have experienced firsthand the difficulty and stigma associated with the mention of a mental health crisis, and I would love to become more educated on how i can help others in many more ways than just phisically. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I have 5 cats that I Love! And I also began to learn to crochet! |
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Name: Kacie Bauer
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: |
Cognitive Psychology PhD |
| Hometown/State/Country: | Tucson, AZ |
| Why did you join the program? | I joined this program to enhance my knowledge about mental health and to learn how to best support my peers who may be dealing with mental health issues. While discussions around mental health have become more open in our culture, it can still be difficult to get help and to realize you are not alone, so I want to be part of the movement to increase awareness and accessibility of mental health resources on campus and in our community. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I love to read, paint, write poetry, dance, and travel! |
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Name: Kwabena Bayity |
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: |
Masters in Agricultural Extension and Education |
| Hometown/State/Country: | Baaniekurom, Ashanti Region-Ghana |
| Why did you join the program? | To gain knowledge and skills in helping people with mental health crisis, and also to self conscious on how to stay mentally healthy |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I love kids , love to make new friends and I love smiling 😊 |
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Name: Teena Bhakta
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: |
Masters in Educational Leadership (Higher Education) |
| Hometown/State/Country: | Born and raised in England (U.K.), now living in Las Cruces, NM. |
| Why did you join the program? | A great opportunity to learn more about mental health and ways of supporting each other on campus. I am also wanting to see how I can take this back to my community and raise the awareness, especially as there are cultural differences surrounding mental health and raising community resources for people to utilize. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | |
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Name: Amanda Bustamante
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: |
Bachelor’s degree in Social Work |
| Hometown/State/Country: | I was born and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico |
| Why did you join the program? | I joined this program to gain knowledge regarding mental health and want to be able to provide useful resources to others who suffer with mental health. I want to support others and let those around me know they are never alone. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I love the outdoors and love to hunt and fish. And I have my own small business where I make custom tumblers. |
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Name: Aubrey Caballero  |
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: |
Bachelor's with a major in Social Work with a minor in Public Health |
| Hometown/State/Country: | Born and raised in El Paso, TX |
| Why did you join the program? | I joined this program to educate myself more on mental health and provide resources to others who are struggling with their mental health as I, myself, have struggled with mental health and want to be able to support others to not go through it alone. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I am a part of three other organizations where I am a member of Aggies for Family Outreach, VP for Students for Reproductive Rights, and VP for Phi Eta Sigma on campus. I am also a member of the City of Las Cruces Volunteer Network! |
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Name: Sofia Chavez
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: |
Human Nutrition and Dietetics Science: Nutrition Education |
| Hometown/State/Country: | El Paso, Texas |
| Why did you join the program? | I joined this program to help spread the awareness of mental health on campus and learn proper tools to help my peers when needed. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I have a chiweenie and her name is Pretzel |
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Name: McKenzie Cooper
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: |
Genetics and Biotechnology |
| Hometown/State/Country: | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| Why did you join the program? | The reason why I joined the NMSU peer mental health advocate program is that mental health is very important as a student! So, to be that point a resource for students as well and have a similar situation can also help them understand to give them hope! I want to give students the opportunity to have someone with a similar situation to talk to. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I like to work out and I have a fish named Bluetinti Cute-Cute Bulgarian! |
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Name: Veronica Delgado |
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: | Social Work |
| Hometown/State/Country: | San Diego CA , lived in Las Cruces since 2012 |
| Why did you join the program? | I'm already Certified in Peer Support thur New Mexico and have been part of assisting and get more knowledge to be part this brings me joy to help others who are struggling and don't know how to seek help |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I'm Vice President of the Bachelor's Student of Social Work Association; I like promoting our Program and building relationships. I'm also a mommy to a busy 3-year-old, so I love art and crafts as well |
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Name: Tristan Driver |
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: |
I am currently major in marketing with a minor in finance. |
| Hometown/State/Country: | I was born and raised in Gunnison, Colorado, but have lived in Las Cruces, New Mexico since high school. |
| Why did you join the program? | I joined this program because mental health is often sidelined in the business world. The business world promotes a culture of "hustling" where mental health is an afterthought, which can be harmful. I want to help raise awareness and encourage candid mental health discussions in the workplace. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I speak fluent German and I worked at a library. |
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Name: Jordy Salvador Espino Lopez
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: | Bachelor of Social Work and BA Spanish |
| Hometown/State/Country: | My hometown is Agua Prieta, Sonora in México |
| Why did you join the program? | Joining this program has been a good chance to learn about mental health in the borderland, I joined to see those issues and I can be part of the solution. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I love cats, they support me through my academic journal. |
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Name: Lindsay Keeling
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: | MSW/MPH |
| Hometown/State/Country: | Houston, TX |
| Why did you join the program? | I was interested in direct mental health promotion on campus. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Kosovo, 2018-2020 |
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Name: Haleigh Haven  |
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: |
Master of Public Administration (MPA) |
| Hometown/State/Country: | Cloudcroft, New Mexcio |
| Why did you join the program? | I wanted to assist in making a significant impact regarding how mental health is acknowledged and responded to on campus. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I have two awesome cats, Boomer and Penny! |
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Name: James Boadu Frimpong  |
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: |
PhD student, majoring in Kinesiology |
| Hometown/State/Country: | I am originally from Ghana |
| Why did you join the program? | I chose to voluntarily be part of this program because, I needed the practical experience to help the increasing student population who may be having challenges with mental health and spread the "good news" of the importance of seeking for help in the midst of potential mental health problems. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I love to make new friends and go for "fun" road trips. I am a lover of good live band music |
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Name: Cynthia Judith Gonzalez Rojas |
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: | Social Work |
| Hometown/State/Country: | Cd.Juarez Chihuahua Mexico /Horizon city,TX |
| Why did you join the program? | I joined this program because I want to be able to help my peers that are dealing with mental health problems |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I love music and I love to travel to concerts and music festivals. |
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Name: Nicole Marin |
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: |
Anthropology with a minor in Archeology, also majoring in Gender & Sexuality studies |
| Hometown/State/Country: | El Paso, TX |
| Why did you join the program? | I want to participate in creating a safer space for mental health wellness, especially within college campuses and POC communities. There are often many barriers such as stigma, time, and cost, that prevent adequate mental health aid and I want to be someone who can help break those barriers by advocating for my peers. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I was born on Halloween! :D |
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Name: Jose Medrano  |
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: | Criminal Justice and Psychology Double Major |
| Hometown/State/Country: | I’m from El Paso, Texas. |
| Why did you join the program? |
I joined because I’ve always had a knack for helping people. On top of that, I thought this would be a huge stepping stone in my career as I pursue a Ph.D. in clinical Psychology to become a psychotherapist. And I also joined because because I myself suffer from anxiety and depression, in which I’ve learned that in order to tackle such mental illnesses you must educate yourself and be willing to educate others as well.
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| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: |
My friends call me “Dr. Nicky” the therapist from the Netflix series “YOU” since I want to be a therapist and it’s my favorite show.
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Name: Nevaeh Mejia  |
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: | Bachelor’s degree in Biology and two minors in Chemistry & Human Biology. |
| Hometown/State/Country: | Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| Why did you join the program? | I joined this program to learn more about mental health & other factors surrounding it. As someone who wishes to go into the medical field, I think it’s important to know about mental health to better help my patients and others. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I am also an ambassador for the College of Arts & Sciences and I tutor as well on campus! |
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Name: Liam Mitchell  |
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: | Double Major in Biology and Biochemistry |
| Hometown/State/Country: | Santa Fe, New Mexico |
| Why did you join the program? | I lost my best friend to suicide in August 2022. It showed me the grim reality that many of us, and especially younger students, face. I hope to carry on in his honor through this program, and help students know the importance of taking care of their mental health. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I'm a big fan of backpacking, chess, and theater (especially classical). Hence the picture from Broadway! |
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Name: Emily L. Montoya
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: | I have a Bachelor's of Individualized Studies and I am currently seeking a second degree in Pre-Nursing. |
| Hometown/State/Country: | Las Cruces, NM born and raised. |
| Why did you join the program? | I applied to this program so that I can learn how to help those that are having mental health issues. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I am married and we have a 19-year-old son that is a sophomore here at NMSU. |
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Name: Kim Montoya
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: | Nursing/ Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Minor in Public Health |
| Hometown/State/Country: | Las Cruces, New Mexico |
| Why did you join the program? |
I joined this program so that I may be able to recognize symptoms of mental health problems and provide assistance and resources to an individual who might be experiencing a mental health crisis. As an individual, student, and future nurse, I want to increase personal literacy on mental health as well as obtain education on how to decrease the stigma. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I serve as co-community chair on the board for the Student Nurses’ Association as well as volunteer with the Medical Reserve Corps. |
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Name: Analisa Morales
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: |
Bachelor of Science in Counseling and Community Psychology |
| Hometown/State/Country: | I am originally from Phoenix, Arizona. |
| Why did you join the program? | I joined this program because I am passionate about raising awareness about mental health on campus. I also wanted to receive the proper training and skills to help my peers who struggle with their mental health. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I have two cats named Crash and Cas. |
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Name: Jacelynn Lambert
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: | Small business management & Entrepreneurship |
| Hometown/State/Country: | Marengo, IL |
| Why did you join the program? | I joined this program because I am passionate about making people aware that they are not alone in the battle of mental health by ending the stigma behind getting professional help. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I'm apart of Alpha Xi Delta here on campus! |
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Name: Aylin Leyva |
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: |
I have a Bachelor's in Psychology and I am currently taking the pre-requesites for medical school. |
| Hometown/State/Country: | I was born in Houston, TX, but raised in El Paso, TX. |
| Why did you join the program? | I joined this program because I believe mental health is extremely important and there should be more awareness. I thought this would be a great opportunity to learn more about it and be able to share my knowledge with other and help. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I played the clarinet when I was in middle school. |
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Name: AbdulAfeez Oladeinde
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: |
Masters in Technical Communication |
| Hometown/State/Country: | Nigeria |
| Why did you join the program? | I am passionate about Mental Health for a number of reasons. When I first moved to the US, I experienced multiple arrays of cultural shock. I was struggling to fit in, particularly because a lot of things were different from my background and my experiences. I went into depression and I had to seek help, I became better after talking to someone. This experience I have voluntarily shared with my peers who equally are going through similar situations. I find this platform a perfect one to continue to contribute and share with more people. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I speak four languages, take a lot of coffee, love traveling and I love to collect coffee cups when I travel to new places. |
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Name: Gabriela Ortega  |
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: |
Public Health |
| Hometown/State/Country: | I am originally from San Antonio, TX |
| Why did you join the program? | I joined this program to be more educated on what Mental Health really is and to intervene and help anyone who's struggling with a mental health crisis. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I'm left-handed & I have two dogs. |
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Name: Nancy Angelica Pantoja
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: |
Biology and minoring in business admiration, biochemistry, and chemistry. |
| Hometown/State/Country: | Farmington, NM. |
| Why did you join the program? | I joined this program because I believe mental health is very important and should be more advocated for, there has been amazing progress in the recent years but there is still much that can be improved, which I would like to be involved in. I want to be apart of helping people through mental health issues and allow them to understand that they are not alone, there is someone who understands, cares, and wants to help. I intend to expand my knowledge on mental health through this experience and be able to be a resource for my classmates. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I love fashion, so I sometimes customize my own clothings and I'm very interested in learning languages. |
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Name: Antonella Padilla |
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: |
I am double majoring in psychology and social work with a minor in childhood development |
| Hometown/State/Country: | Presidio, Tx |
| Why did you join the program? | I join the program because I have always been interested in mental health and ways I can help people around me. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I have been playing saxophone for 7 years and was the drum major for marching band |
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Name: Nicole Romero
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: |
Counseling & Community Psychology (undergraduate) |
| Hometown/State/Country: | Santa Fe, NM |
| Why did you join the program? | Since high school I have always advocated for mental health and allowing people to come to me as a resource. I want to help people with their mental health even if that means just listening to them. This program is giving me more in depth knowledge to help others and further my education in my field. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I have an ESA (emotional support animal), Her name is Ember, she is a yellow lab/pit bull mix and she is the best thing to ever happen to me. She is the sweetest girl and lives up to her ESA title. |
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Name: Tamera Thomas |
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: |
Nursing, BSN |
| Hometown/State/Country: | Reno, Nevada |
| Why did you join the program? | I joined NMSU Peer Mental Health Advocates because I want to reach students at risk for suicide and prepare to screen at-risk patients in my nursing career. |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | Before beginning the NMSU Roadrunner Nursing program, I lived in Japan for seven years and worked as an English teacher for all ages, from 6 months old to retirees. I love traveling! I've been to 46 states in the US and 24 countries. I want to be a disaster nurse and work with migrant populations at the US/Mexico border and around the Mediterranean. |
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Name: Maddy Zimmerman
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|---|---|
| Major/Degree sought: |
Counseling and Community Psychology with a minor in Child Advocacy. I hope to work on a military base or the VA to be a resource for military families or active duty service members. |
| Hometown/State/Country: | I was born and raised in Brookings, South Dakota |
| Why did you join the program? | I’ve always been interested in mental health; especially on college campuses |
| Something fun about yourself or want others to know: | I was in choir for 9 years! I’m also a member of the Chi Omega sorority here on campus. |
Not pictured: Abidemi Ajayi, Chloe Cutshall, Adrian De Santiago, Rupak Dey, Ivonne Estrada, Taylor Friday, Madeline Gates, Isaac Gutierrez, Jeanie Moore, Maisie O'Neill, Aimee Ryan, Tyler Sehnal, Anna Snider, Camryn Wharff
