When Mauricio Romero connects with youth and families in his community – it is deeper kind of connection that he finds extremely personal and healing due to his own upbringing. 

“I actually grew up in the community that I am working in now… I understand their struggles. It’s not just a job for me. It’s about giving back to a place that has shaped me.”

Mauricio, a coordinator at San Ysidro Health, explained his journey into behavioral health started unexpectedly. After graduating from UC San Diego with a degree in political science, he worked as a reproductive health educator, partnering with schools and health programs. Over time, he found himself drawn toward mental wellness and suicide prevention. That shift set the stage for the work he does today — equipping youth to take personal ownership of their mental well-being.

Bringing Mental Health Resources into Classrooms and Communities

San Ysidro Health is one of 28 grantees across California that received support to lead a Local Level Campaign as part of the California Department of Public Health’s stigma reduction campaign. Silence Isn’t Strength combines local messages with the state-wide Take Space to Pause campaign. Take Space to Pause is a youth-centered mental health campaign funded through California’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI). The campaign goal is to reduce stigma, explain how breaking points happen, and encourage positive help-seeking behaviors (like creating a customized pause plan!) primarily among teens ages 13–17.

Mauricio and his team have been bringing Take Space to Pause campaign’s messages and materials directly to community members by visiting schools, tabling at local conferences and events and more. 

While Mauricio coordinates the work, he’s the first to emphasize he’s not doing it alone and this work is reaching more people thanks to the youth involved making it possible.

“I want to give props to the 11 amazing interns in this program that have been creating content, advocating in their classrooms and in their community. This is youth leadership in action — not just youth participation.”

Broader Impact: Enhancing Access for Adults & Families 

In San Ysidro and the broader San Diego region, accessing professional mental health services can be complicated — long wait times, transportation challenges, and apprehension around navigating insurance.

Mauricio sees Take Space to Pause as a tool that increases accessibility and trust—especially since its resources are available in English and Spanish.

“We work with a lot of Hispanic and Latino communities… and going to an actual place or clinic may be scary, especially in today’s climate. Having resources on your phone breaks down that barrier.”

It can even provide value for adults. Mauricio loves that although the Take Space to Pause campaign was designed with youth at the center, the resources work for everyone.

“It’s a youth-driven website, but there are valuable resources for everyone. The videos show adults talking about coping and stress, too.”

How Mauricio Takes Space to Pause

Outside of his advocacy and nonprofit work, Mauricio is also a group fitness instructor. Movement is where he finds balance.

“One way I take space to pause? I lead a class. It heals me physically and mentally. I’m able to take space for me while also having fun and giving back to my community.”

That adoration and connection to community – both inside and outside of work – helps Mauricio stay grounded. His gratitude and excitement about the work and what it means for the youth in his community is palpable. 

“I honestly don’t even have words for it. I’m forever thankful to the state of California for providing this opportunity for youth and the professionals that work with them.”

Beyond the Pause: CYBHI Supports Abound

He and his team recently promoted the Take Space to Pause campaign at the Wellness Together Conference in San Diego. It was there, he had an opportunity to learn about other CYBHI supports including the Live Beyond and Never a Bother campaigns and free digital behavioral health tools like the Soluna app. 

“I was amazed at the connection it has with youth and the way the [Soluna] app brings resources directly into the hands of youth. In every presentation we do, we include 988, the Soluna app and Take Space to Pause.”

Mauricio isn’t just promoting a public awareness campaign.

He’s mentoring other youth, normalizing the practice of making space for self-care and supporting his community — one classroom, one conversation, one pause plan at a time.