My name is Cecilia Tenorio, and I’m honored to work in community-based mental health as the Health and Wellness Coordinator at the Community Advocates Public Policy Institute. I come to this work with lived experience, having navigated suicidal ideation, major depressive disorder, and PTSD, with a steadfast belief that recovery is possible—and sustained through community and intergenerational approaches.
When I was a teenager, mental health was not something we spoke about openly. It was often misunderstood, minimized, or hidden. Today, conversations are more common in the post-COVID-19 era, but we still have a long way to go.
The reality facing our young people in Wisconsin, is urgent and impossible to ignore. According to the Office of Children’s Mental Health 2025 Annual Report, 60% of Wisconsin children with a mental health condition, such as depression, anxiety, or behavioral challenges, had difficulty getting the treatment they needed.
This is why I choose to be part of the solution. Through Youth Mental Health First Aid, I work to empower adults whether parents, caregivers, or mentors, to feel more confident supporting youth. The training provides practical tools to recognize signs of struggle, respond with care, and connect young people to help.
What I've learned through lived and classroom experience, it’s not about having all the answers. It’s about listening without judgment, challenging stigma, and creating space for honest conversations. In every course, I see how powerful it is when adults reflect on their own mental health and commit to showing up differently for youth. Continuing to talk about mental health is how we save lives. It’s how we build trust, reduce stigma, and remind young people—and each other—that no one has to struggle alone.
If this resonates with you, I invite you to take the next step and be part of the solution by signing up for our next in-person Youth Mental Health First Aid Training offered on Tuesday, May 19th https://secure.qgiv.com/for/communityadvocates/event/youthmentalhealthfirstaidmay19/
