Cecilia Tenorio is honored to work in community-based mental health as the Health and Wellness Coordinator at Community Advocates Public Policy Institute. She came to this work with personal experience, having navigated suicidal ideation, major depressive disorder, and PTSD, with a steadfast belief that recovery is possible—and sustained when families and the community support people who need a helping hand.
When she was a teenager, mental health issues were not spoken about openly. It was often misunderstood, minimized, or hidden. Conversations are more common today, in the post-COVID-19 era, but there is still 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 percent of Wisconsin children with a mental health concern, such as depression, anxiety, or behavioral challenges, had difficulty getting the treatment they needed.
This is why Cecilia chose to be part of the solution. Through her facilitation of Youth Mental Health First Aid workshops, she works to empower adults—whether parents, caregivers, educators, or mentors—to feel more confident when supporting youth. The training provides practical tools to recognize signs of struggle, respond with care, and connect young people to help.
Through her personal and professional experiences, Cecilia has learned that being a trusted adult is not about having all the answers. It’s about listening without judgment, challenging stigma, and creating space for honest conversations. In every Youth Mental Health First Aid course, she sees how powerful it is when adults reflect on their own mental health and commit to showing up differently for the youth in their lives. 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 you want to learn how to support the young people in your life, Cecilia invites you to take the next step and be part of the solution. A Youth Mental Health First Aid training will be held in June. Keep an eye out on the RISE Drug Free MKE calendar to join.
Learn more at RISEdrugfreemke.org. If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health issue, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
