Last Updated: October 28, 2024
Take action: Adolescents can have their own mental health challenges. Cindy recommends opening conversations with young people in your life in a patient and non-judgmental way: “A simple ‘how are you feeling?’ or ‘what’s on your mind?’ can be the start of a breakthrough.
Cindy Pulido is one of RHHD’s newest staff members! She joins our Population Health team as the Adolescent Health Coordinator.
Tamara Jones, the Population Health Manager, says that Cindy will be working closely with RHHD staff and community partners to design programs and initiatives focused on promoting the health and well-being of adolescents through the City of Richmond: “Cindy brings a wealth of experience, including implementing evidence-based interventions, grant writing, research, and extensive leadership in health programs. Her diverse background and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen the Adolescent Health Program!”
As Cindy settles into Adolescent Health and life in our region, she shares a bit about her journey here and what’s next:
Cindy’s family and hometown steered her toward public health.
Both of my parents are from Mexico and moved to Washington state for a better life and to work in agriculture. I grew up in a small rural town that didn’t have a lot of access to opportunities or a sense of networking.
I knew I wanted a job that would help my community, because my family and I struggled to access health care. Seeing my family having to navigate those systems, I felt like I had to help even when I was younger. I wanted to be a nurse growing up but public health classes shifted my focus. They made me realize I’d already been doing some of this work all my life. Public health showed me how I could take on a bigger role and reach the community.
Cindy thinks adolescent well-being is key to public health’s mission.
I like that public health is usually preventive. Instead of dealing with the aftermath of a problem, it’s often about fixing the problem before it even starts. Adolescent health focuses on that preventive care. We’re thinking, “while youth are in this transitional stage, what resources can we provide, what programs can we help create, what relationships can we help build when these young folks are just trying to figure it out?”
Just take yourself back to when you were an adolescent and remember how hard the day-to-day was. And if it wasn’t hard for you, imagine it being harder if you’re dealing with problems adolescents shouldn’t have to be dealing with, like if a family member is going through Substance Use Disorder. That time of being an adolescent is so crucial to creating your path in life. I love being able to nourish the adolescent population and give them whatever they need to thrive in whatever situation they end up in. They’re all so unique—you have first generations like me, who might have struggled with parents who never went to high school, not really knowing how to navigate homework help. You might have people who are dealing with domestic violence at home. We’re trying to focus on every young person’s health and wellness. These are our future workforce, our future leaders, so it’s really important to focus on them.
Cindy sees youth confronting unique and urgent challenges.
We can all agree that mental health is a huge topic that we need to work with collaborators to address. Vaping and fentanyl are both big issues, not only within our youth, but with older adults in their lives who might be struggling with addiction.
I’ve also been realizing that some our high schools have lower graduation and college readiness rates. I’d love to find ways to bring more attention to life after high school and preparation for it during high school. We need to help youth get the resources and confidence they need to successfully make that transition.
And the access to social media now can have positive and negative impacts on youth. Seeing all these things on the internet, like people living “perfect lives,” could make you feel like you’re not good enough. It can affect your ability to focus, your confidence, and that can all contribute to mental health.
One thing that’s wonderful about working in Richmond is that there are a lot of resources for adolescents who have expressed interest in mental health services. Traditional therapy services can be located through organizations like the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, and there are alternative therapeutic experiences like artistic expression (Art 180 is a great example!)
Right now, our team is working closely with the schools to educate and provide presentations on fentanyl and naloxone use. Our goal is to be another wonderful resource cultivating safe environments in which adolescents can seek help. We will be working with community partners as well as with the youth themselves to push back on these barriers our young people face!
Cindy answers our teen-focused lightening round!
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- Favorite high school fashion trend: Skinny jeans and hoodies.
- Most likely to be on the car radio: Drake.
- Favorite school subject: I loved the challenge of math.
- Best afterschool job: Working at the movie theater. There wasn’t much to do in my town, so people hung out there. I always knew the tea!
Cindy Pulido, RHHD’s new Adolescent Health Coordinator!