CARES Mental Health Student Wellness Ambassador

Abigail Mittelstedt

Hi! My name is Abigail Mittelstedt. I’m a second-year student majoring in Psychology. The role of a Wellness Ambassador was intriguing because it can be scary to reach out for support and navigate resources, so I wanted to help other students feel connected and let them know there are encouraging people excited to support them. We’re all working to heal from our pain, and being a part of someone’s journey is a huge honor. 

Self-Care Tip 
My self care tip is to write about how you’ve been feeling or a few things you’re thankful for, and to create something that is meaningful to you, such as art or music. 

Beatriz Ramirez

I’m a second year student and my major is Social Work. What called me to be a Wellness Ambassador was to learn more about mental health so I could support students. I feel there isn’t enough talk about mental health and how to take care of our wellbeing and a Wellness Ambassador advocates for that. 

Self-Care Tip 
My self-care tip is to walk outside or go skateboarding around my neighborhood.

Carmen Solorzano

This is my second year into chabot and I plan to transfer soon to a university as a psychology major. Something that I do in my spare time is drawing, especially using classic pencils. My experience receiving mental health services  has been very life transformational, I had always thought that I had to go through mental health struggles myself until I got to be heard by someone who reassured me that I am not alone. No person should feel isolated in their problems when there are so many resources in our community and our college. As a Wellness Ambassador it is an honor to advocate for that. 

Self-Care Tip 
Check out this amazing book, Feeling Great by David D. Burns. This is a unique self help book that goes even deeper into shifting thoughts,no matter the situation. The highlight for me is the positive reframing map for negative feelings.

Charlize Tran

My name is Charlize Tran and I am currently a second-year student majoring in Sociology. I felt drawn to becoming a Wellness Ambassador because I wanted to build that welcoming connection alongside fellow students, connecting them with any necessary support for their well-being throughout their academic journey at Chabot. During my role as a Wellness Ambassador, I look forward to providing that outreach to students and rebuilding those interpersonal connections that will promote wellness on campus. I believe that making an effort to confide in and be vulnerable with others takes a lot of strength. As a growing community, I believe that it’s important that we support one another on our own paths to healing and preserving our well-being. 

Self-Care Tip 
A suggested self-care tip I have is to really feel present during moments of strong emotions. I find that allowing yourself to really feel those emotions help to express them in a validating way rather than bottling them up inside.

Clayton Ensel 

My name is Clayton Ensel. I’m starting my fifth year at Chabot College and I am pursuing something that I’ve always been passionate about, which is Mental Health and Psychology. I love listening to music, playing guitar, singing, cooking, exercising, and spending time with others. What called me to be a Wellness Ambassador is my passion for Mental Health Awareness and breaking down the stigma around mental health counseling. I feel that everyone should have easy access to personal counseling if they need it. Especially when the student health fee covers Mental Health services offered by Chabot CARES Mental Health. I am interested in Human Services because I love working with others. I also love that through working as a Wellness Ambassador, I can potentially change the course of someone’s life for the better. 

Self-Care Tip 
By using a Daily Mood Log I can gain a new perspective on any of my thoughts that may be somewhat distorted.  This can really support me to change the way I might be feeling about an upsetting event.

Janelle Mae Silvania

I am Janelle Mae Silvania and I go by she/they pronouns. I am a second-year Chabot student and major in Medical Assisting. I am a Filipinx woman and a first-generation college student. After receiving CARES mental health services at Chabot College, my experience there led me to share the same warmth that I received with other students. As a Wellness Ambassador, I hope to serve the voices that have yet to be heard and I live by the saying “When I heal, the ancestors heal that have come before me”.

Self-Care Tip

My self-care tip is to schedule a time out of your day to be your authentic self doing something that brings you joy. 

Mariele Garcia

Hello! My name is Mariele Garcia. This is my third year here at Chabot and my major is Psychology. What called me to be a Wellness Ambassador is because I really wanted to be an advocate for reducing the stigmatization of mental health. As a Filipina, I grew up with the mentality that mental illnesses were people who are “weak minded”, and therefore were shunned for expressing my emotions. I think being aware of taking care of your mental health should be as important as taking care of your physical health. As a Wellness Ambassador, I want to help others get the resources they need to succeed not just in school, but in life.

Self-Care Tip 
A self-care tip I recommend is taking breaks out of your day to focus on yourself. Some ways on how I take care of myself is listening to music to clear my mind, going outside to read a book or meditate.