Areli Mendez

Provide trauma-informed support to women and gender-diverse individuals with mental health and substance use concerns, building rapport and offering harm reduction education.

Harm Reduction Worker - YWCA Hamilton, Substance Use Services - Hamilton, ON

(2024-01)

Provide trauma-informed support to women and gender-diverse individuals with mental health and substance use concerns, building rapport and offering harm reduction education.

• Monitor clients in a supervised consumption setting and respond to medical emergencies, including drug poisoning crises, according to the medical directive.
• Assist clients in accessing health and social services, including mental health care, addiction treatment, housing, and community resources.
• Document client interactions and observations maintaining confidentiality.

General Practitioner - Saude Clinic - San Luis Potosi, Mexico

(2020-01 - 2023-12)

Practiced as an independent General Practitioner, leading clinical decision-making in emergency and outpatient environments.

• Conducted assessments, risk evaluations, documentation, and follow-up care.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure continuity of care.

Research Assistant - Neuroscience project - Department of Biochemistry, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí - San Luis Potosí, Mexico

(2022-01 - 2022-12)

Conducted image analysis of dentate gyrus granule cells using microscopy to evaluate nuclear structures and neurogenesis biomarkers for a peer-reviewed Alzheimer's study.

• Performed comprehensive literature reviews on adult hippocampal neurogenesis, Alzheimer's disease pathology, and mechanisms of biphasic neurogenic regulation.
• Prepared figures and visual data outputs and contributed to manuscript review in collaboration with the PI.
• Maintained accurate research records and ensured adherence to ethical research standards.

Medical Social Service Intern (Mandatory Supervised Clinical Practice) - Secretaría de Salud - San Luis Potosí, México

(2018-01 - 2019-12)

• Delivered supervised primary care and mental health promotion in rural communities.
• Conducted patient assessments, preventive care, and follow-up.
• Contributed to community health education and public health data collection.

Research Participant Recruiter - ENT project - ENT Service, Hospital Central "Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto" - San Luis Potosi, Mexico

(2017-01 - 2017-12)

• Recruited and consented participants in person and by telephone for a nasal obstruction and acoustic voice analysis study.
• Administered standardized questionnaires and ensured high-quality, protocol-compliant data collection.
• Coordinated participant scheduling and follow-up with the research team.

Volunteer Crisis Responder - Kids Help Phone

(2025-01)

• Provided text-based emotional support and safety planning for youth experiencing crisis, including responding to the 988-crisis line.
• Collaborate with supervisors to ensure appropriate follow-up and referral resources.

SOPEN volunteer - Substance Overdose Prevention and Education Network (SOPEN)

(2024-01)

• Facilitated overdose prevention workshops and promoted evidence-based harm reduction strategies.
• Engage with community members to increase awareness of substance use safety and mental health resources.

Doctor of Medicine - Medicine - Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí (2019-12)

Graduate Certificate - Concurrent Disorders - Mohawk College (2024-12)