Ms. Karen Velez, our Mental Health Consultant and HOSA advisor, has over 10 years of experience working with students as a middle and high school teacher, college professor, and Health Science educator. She has spent much of her career supporting teenagers and understands the social and emotional challenges they face, including feelings of isolation and disconnection in school settings.

Throughout our campaign, Ms. Velez played a key role in guiding our research and helping us organize our ideas in a way that was accurate, meaningful, and appropriate for our peers. Her perspective as an educator helped us better understand how teen isolation shows up in classrooms and impacts students’ mental well being.

She also supported us in planning events and initiatives that encourage connection, belonging, and peer support. Her guidance helped ensure our campaign addresses teen isolation in a thoughtful, realistic, and supportive way.