Advocacy
A Tale of Two Positionalities
In another iteration of my professional identity, I would have separated my academic work from my on-the-ground advocacy. Over time, however, I realized that my existence in the academy was only possible through the work of advocates. There is no clear line separating my positionality as an academic (in-training) from my positionality of lived (and living) experience.
My work is an act of resistance against the systematic stigmatization and structural violence that would have kept me out of academia.
In addition, I hold various roles that allow me to keep myself grounded in both worlds.
I represent the United States at the Global Mental Health Peer Network, where I am closing out a term as the Regional Lead for the Americas. In this role, I worked hard to build more diverse country representation that was reflective of our region. As I wrap up this term, I am also stepping into a Co-Lead role within the organization's Research Sub-committee.
I also am the Chief Research and Knowledge Officer at Generation Mental Health, an organization led by and in service of young people with lived experience of psychological distress, psychosocial disability, and mental health concerns. In this role, I lead the organization's data collection and analysis efforts to ensure that our programming is data-driven and in line with best practices. I am currently leading the launch of a global survey attempting to understand the self-efficacy and skill gaps of mental health advocates around the world.
I also sit on the 2022-2024 Public Policy Committee at NAMI Texas. Here, I work with other advocates, people with lived experience, and caregivers to ensure that Texas policy serves our community.
I provide lived experience perspectives in academic spaces by participating in the peer-review process at The Lancet Psychiatry and serving on the Lived Experience Advisory Board at Psychiatric Services.
My work is an act of resistance against the systematic stigmatization and structural violence that would have kept me out of academia.
In addition, I hold various roles that allow me to keep myself grounded in both worlds.
I represent the United States at the Global Mental Health Peer Network, where I am closing out a term as the Regional Lead for the Americas. In this role, I worked hard to build more diverse country representation that was reflective of our region. As I wrap up this term, I am also stepping into a Co-Lead role within the organization's Research Sub-committee.
I also am the Chief Research and Knowledge Officer at Generation Mental Health, an organization led by and in service of young people with lived experience of psychological distress, psychosocial disability, and mental health concerns. In this role, I lead the organization's data collection and analysis efforts to ensure that our programming is data-driven and in line with best practices. I am currently leading the launch of a global survey attempting to understand the self-efficacy and skill gaps of mental health advocates around the world.
I also sit on the 2022-2024 Public Policy Committee at NAMI Texas. Here, I work with other advocates, people with lived experience, and caregivers to ensure that Texas policy serves our community.
I provide lived experience perspectives in academic spaces by participating in the peer-review process at The Lancet Psychiatry and serving on the Lived Experience Advisory Board at Psychiatric Services.
