MHA4M
awareness through action
Meet the Team
Desiree Adamos
Desiree Adamos is the CEO of Mental Health Awareness for Minorities. She wanted to start this organization because it is apparent that there is distinctively less mental health resources available to minority communities in our society and it is truly important to shed light on this disturbing systemic pattern. The members at MHAM work together to create concrete solutions, resources, and educational information to provide for others and I am extremely grateful for their advocacy and tireless efforts. Desiree also serves as the student board member for her district and in involved in other organizations pertaining to education policy, public health, legislation, and youth advocacy.
Mia Montillano
​Mia Montillano is the Chief Operating Officer of MHAM. She defines herself as an intuitive and deeply empathic person, with a zeal for self-healing and helping others with personal growth through emotional literacy and introspection. She eventually hopes to pursue these passions professionally, as a Licensed MFT. Through MHAM, Mia intends to channel her passions for self-empowerment into a platform that educates the youth on the intersections between mental health stigma and the injustices that plague minority communities, and mobilizes them to advocate for a more equitable future.
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Aditi Telang
Aditi Telang is the Chief Financial Officer of MHAM and is currently a junior at Olympian High School. Coming from Indian household, she realized that mental health isn’t a matter of concern for most parents in her community thus, she joined this organization to help make the topic of mental health more widely spoken among communities and provide resources to those who are struggling with their mental health. She hopes to improve the lives of many future generations through education and being an advocate for mental health awareness. Aditi is also involved in her community by being the President of KIWIN’S Club and UNICEF Club at her high school along with volunteering at Sharp Hospital and local libraries.
Katherine Mara
Katherine is currently a junior in high school. She strives to encourage empowerment throughout marginalized communities and raise awareness for social and political issues. Thus, she’s involved in several cultural and social justice clubs at her school, and has even co-founded a women’s empowerment club at her school. In her free time she loves to write, draw, and listen to music.
Adrielle Escano
Adrielle Escaño is a senior at Olympian High School, on the Board of Directors, and a member of the Finance Committee. Growing up in an Asian household, she was never exposed to the idea of mental health. Adrielle joined MHA4M to create more accessible resources for others and hopefully make it seem less daunting. She is also involved in many school activities like being ASB Vice President, Unity Crew Vice President, and Newspaper Club President. Her interests include volleyball, writing/reporting stories, and editing videos.
Alice Sar
Alice is on the Board of Directors and the head of the journalism committee! They use any pronouns and are the ASB and PHS President and CJSF Secretary of their school. They joined MHA4M because they're really passionate about helping people and wanted to assist in educating people on mental health and why it's so important, as well as normalizing the struggles that a lot of people face. Some fun facts about them is that they like to crochet, bake, sing, and dance by themselves when no one else is watching. They can't wait for you all to see what we have planned!
Lauren Medina
Lauren Medina is a member of the Board of Directors and the Head of the Media Committee for MHAM. She is a junior at Otay Ranch High School, an ASB Athletics Commissioner, Cross Country captain, and President of her school's Do Something Club. In her free time, she loves reading, embroidering and listening to music. Her passion for advocacy and mental health has grown throughout her life and she hopes to make a positive impact with her abilities.
Dean Nafarrete
Dean Nafarrete is a senior at Olympian High School and the head of Finance for MHA4M. The son of two Filipino immigrants, Dean has developed a naturally curious and passionate mindset that has culminated in his involvement in clubs, community groups, and student organizations throughout his high school career, with hopes to hold elected office in the future. Dean is the President of Olympian’s Eco Club, a member of Olympian’s ASB, Vice President of Students for Sustainability, and the co-founder of Ardeo Photography. His interests include filmmaking, video games, PC building, and writing.
Jordan Premmer
Jordan Premmer is Head of the Education Committee for Mental Health Awareness for Minorities. She wanted to become a leading part of this organization because due to personal experiences as a black person in America, she has seen the misinformation and stigma that surrounds the topic of mental health in minority communities. The education committee aims to provide factual information that can be pushed into our communities through media and journalism. Jordan Premmer is a former intern for the San Diego Union-Tribune and is involved with other advocacy groups, organizations, and writing journals. She holds the title of Miss Black Teen California International Ambassador 2020.
Abigail Anson
Abigail Anson, Abby, is apart of the Board of Directors as well as the Head of Communications. Abby felt a connection to this organization as she saw how the negative stigma there was around mental health within their community. Being apart of the LGBTQ+ community as well as being Filipino American, she could always feel the drag of those silenced about their problems regarding mental health. Their main goal with being apart of this wonderful and strong organization is to boost the voices of those who have been too afraid to speak about their problems, as well as ways to help themselves.
Jessica Rubio
Jessica Rubio is a part of the Board of Directors in MHA4M as well as a member of the Finance Committee. As a Filipino, mental health can be viewed as taboo. Although she was aware of how scary it could be to ask a parent for help, lucky for her, her mother recognized how important mental health is and provided her with the resources she needed. Currently as a high schooler, Jessica wants to help others that don’t have that same privilege. She’s involved herself in ASB, MedLife, and a multitude of clubs to spread her reach to not only her friends but also new people she hopes to form bonds with.
Kaila Palisoc
Kaila Palisoc one of the Board of Directors and the head of the Resource Committee! Kaila is currently a junior at Olympian high school and because they is a Filipino American and a part of the LGBTQ community, Kaila strives to help other people in regards to eliminating the stigma around mental health in both of these communities. Kaila is passionate about human rights advocacy and helping those who are less fortunate with involvement in clubs that do just this. Kaila is co-president of Olympian's Make-A-Wish club and secretary of Amnesty International club. In Kaila's free time, they enjoys playing video games, drawing, and finding new music.