Ysidra Tellez-Koch, MA, LMHC. Executive Director and Program Manager, brings 5+ years of experience in program management and 8 years of experience working in the Mental Health Field as a Behavioral Management Specialist. Ysidra received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Anthropology from the University of New Mexico. During that time, she spent two years in research with the Pediatric Neuropsychology lab at UNM. She is a member of the American Counselor Association and will obtain a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health at Adams State University in May 2023. Ysidra grew up on a small ranch in the village of San Jon, NM. She has been a resident of Albuquerque, NM for over 9 years and enjoys being a part of the community. Ysidra’s personal connection to the mission of BTSNM is from not only living with her own mental health challenges but also losing her 14 year old sister to suicide. Ysidra believes that proper education and openness around mental health is one of the many steps needed to break stigma and make greater change in people’s lives.
Susan Weiss, PLMSW, (Provisionally Licensed Master of Social Work),MSc. Standard Operating Procedures Officer and Facilitator. Susan has called New Mexico home since 1987. Inspired by the beauty of the Southwest and the strength of its communities, she has spent over 30 years working in the nonprofit sector.
Her work has focused on supporting individuals with disabilities, including those navigating mental health challenges and cognitive and intellectual disabilities. Susan is a Licensed Master Social Worker (Provisional) in New Mexico and holds a Master’s Degree in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution from Creighton University School of Law. She recently completed her Master of Social Work at New Mexico Highlands University and is continuing to grow her clinical practice under supervision.
Her work is deeply informed by lived experience—both her own and that of her family—and she is committed to fostering open conversations about mental health, promoting self-advocacy, and reducing stigma through education and community engagement.
Kristen Kifer, Lead Facilitator, UNM student working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Psychology has lived in Albuquerque, NM, all her life. Her previous job working in a healthcare setting as a hemodialysis technician, where she helped to treat many people who suffer from a variety of mental illnesses made her want to educate herself further in the direction of mental health. Having personally suffered from mental health issues since beginning college, due to the pressures of full-time work, school, and a multitude of familial issues/losses, she felt stuck in what to do with both her life and mental struggles. Greatly affected by the losses she suffered, she wondered where she could learn more to better her own health and maybe do some good for others as well. BTSNM has given her that opportunity to work with younger generations to promote knowledge surrounding mental health issues.
Abraham/Abe Valdez, Marketing Manager, they have been a hairdresser and educator for over eighteen years in Texas, New York, and New Mexico. Abraham has struggled with their own mental health issues, experiencing trauma at an early age. They were never aware of signs of PTSD and manic depression. Abe went years without help and finally found it later in life. Abraham’s biggest mission is to help spread awareness of how important self-care and mental health are. It’s great to start your self-care journey early in life, but also, it’s never too late! Abe works and volunteers for other non-profit organizations that help the community in many ways like housing, resources, clothing and food donations, and community education.
Adilene Martinez Lopez, Facilitator, Youth Advisory Program Coordinator, is a Family & Child Studies and Spanish student at UNM. She is also interested in the arts and creative spaces. Born and raised in Albuquerque, she is keen on the issues that affect this community, and the role that mental health plays. Having worked with elementary-aged children, Adilene strongly believes in early intervention and education, which is what drew her to work with Breaking the Silence. She also feels a personal connection to their mission, being a first-hand witness to the stigma within Latino circles. It was difficult for Adilene to navigate her own mental health issues, and it made her realize the importance of having these conversations.
