In this episode, Jennifer talks to Alesha Cid-Vega, who shares her journey as an international student coming to the US to pursue theater which ultimately led her to explore the intersection of psychology and the arts. They explore her current research in mental health and wellness that focuses on building systems of care and promoting accessibility in the arts community. They emphasize the importance of a collaborative approach, training non-specialist providers, and creating a culture of care with the goal of strengthening support systems to make mental health accessibility a priority for artists through task-sharing models and developing strategies for daily life.

About Alesha: Alesha is a current graduate Psychology student at The New School for Social Research in the Trauma & Global Mental Health Lab. Born and raised in Spain, she moved to the U.S. to pursue a career in musical theatre. After the twists and bends of navigating the performing arts conservatory system and its barriers for international and low/middle-income students, she enrolled in the Entertainment Management program at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management in the University of Central Florida, aiming to make a change toward equity in the arts industry. As the Covid-19 pandemic hit, with the heart of an artist and a deep growing concern for global and mental health, she transferred to Sarah Lawrece College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts concentrating in Performing Arts and Public Health. Alesha is currently developing projects to design and implement accessible mental health programs tailored for performing artists, through community models. Before joining The New School, she worked in direct services with refugees and asylum seekers with HIAS New York and has served as a Spanish translator and interpreter for community-based immigration organizations. More recently, she completed a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support fellowship with the International Rescue Committee’s Technical Advising Health Unit. Beyond her current work, her evolving lists of interests include meaning-making and resilience, lessons from Eastern and indigenous healing, the singing voice, sensory sensitivity, poetry, storytelling, and the revolutionary practice of slowing down. 

Alesha's IG: @aleshacidvega

Alesha’s email: [email protected]

Alesha’s Website: https://www.acidvega.com/connect

Alesha's Resources List:

Trauma and Global Mental Health Lab at The New School: https://nssrglobalmentalhealth.com/

Lifenet hotlines brochure (different languages): https://www.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/dmh/dmh-lifenet-brochure.pdf

NYC Well: https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/

Safran Center for Psychological Services: https://www.newschool.edu/nssr/centers-special-programs/safran-center-for-psychological-services/

National Childhood Traumatic Stress Network Psychological First Aid Training: training: https://www.nctsn.org/treatments-and-practices/psychological-first-aid-and-skills-for-psychological-recovery/nctsn-resources

Community-based NYC Organizations:

https://www.recoupny.com/about-recoup-ny

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