About Michelle Nguyen, MPH
With a background as a mental health advocate and strong commitment to community engagement, Michelle’s journey with the clinic began as an intern. She got hired right after her internship as the Grant Administrative Assistant, was promoted to Assistant Outreach Coordinator, and transitioned into Norooz Clinic’s ambassador.
Her past professional experiences include being a caregiver for her grandmother to working in patient care and various fast-food restaurants. She has obtained her Bachelor of Science in Health Science with an emphasis in community health education at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) and a Masters of Public Health at the same institution.
Outside of her professional pursuits, another goal of hers is to find the best sunset views in California. She also claims it’s a fact that vanilla sweet cold foam is crucial on every coffee and matcha drink.
Questions:
What does mental health mean to you?
Mental health to me is having a balance between the social, personal, professional,
and academic aspects of life. As a recent college graduate, it means navigating the
transition from student life to the professional world while maintaining emotional
well-being. It’s about feeling good emotionally/mentally/physically, having positive
relationships with friends, family, and colleagues, and effectively managing the
stresses that come with new responsibilities and challenges. Staying resilient through
setbacks and uncertainties is crucial, as is finding time for self-care and personal
growth. Good mental health allows me to enjoy my achievements, set new goals,
and build a fulfilling future both personally and professionally.
Why the Norooz Clinic Foundation (NCF)?
I chose the NCF because it was my undergraduate internship site. During my time at
the clinic, I gained a lot of new skills, such as strengthening my outreach abilities,
improving my email etiquette among other office skills, and understanding the
workings of a non-profit organization. These experiences were invaluable in shaping
my professional development. I ended up getting hired as an employee and stayed
on because of the welcoming and encouraging atmosphere fostered at the clinic.
The supportive environment, combined with the opportunities for growth and
learning, made it an ideal place for me to continue my career.
Tell your personal story about how your mental health has impacted your life. How did
you cope with it or overcame it?
I had a very stereotypical “growing up in an Asian household” childhood, which I find
relatable and comforting because many people share similar experiences and
struggles. Growing up with two Vietnamese parents had a significant impact on my
mental health. I didn’t even know the concept of mental health existed. When I felt
sad, my parents would tell me it was because I was watching too much TV,
dismissing my feelings and leading me to invalidate them myself. As I got older, I
realized that my parents didn’t have ill intentions. They were just never taught the
importance of mental health and unintentionally passed down a sort of generational
trauma. Understanding this, with the help of friends who have had similar
experiences, has helped me cope and find ways to communicate and understand my
parents better which has led to an improvement on my own mental health.
