Mr. Diaz was invited as a special guest as part of SWTJC's Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.
During his presentation Mr. Diaz discussed several topics with the students including a commitment to success, and his personal journey with mental health and how he used it to further his education and pursue a career in mental health.
SWTJC students listened attentively as Mr. Diaz discussed his personal journey that has led him to come back to his community to help heal and advocate for mental wellness.
“l'm passionate about transforming and healing my community.
There's so much beauty and talent here, and I want to make sure I do my part to cultivate it here. I think
that together, we can create the Eagle Pass we'd never think we'd see,” states Mr. Diaz.
Mr. Diaz received his undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California in International Relations, and completed his Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University in Los Angeles.
He is certified by the Academy of Cognitive Therapy in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and has received specialized training in Prolonged Exposure for PTSD from the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, with 10 years of clinical experience.
Since his return to Eagle Pass, Elias has shifted focus to use his skills and passion for the LGBTQ community.
He has co-founded the first LGBTQA Non-Profit Organization, EP SAFE, which serves the rural communities of the Southwest Texas Border Region.He has also taken a position as a Mental Health Clinician with Maverick County Hospital District, where he is currently working to improve health outcomes for people living with HIV.
His most recent work, The Sexual Health Project, focuses on bridging an alliance between EP SAFE (Sexuality Advocacy for Everyone) and MCHD to address gaps in the HIV Care Continuum. The aim of this project is to increase awareness of preventive measures, decrease barriers to preventive care, and address negative attitudes about HIV to effectively reduce the risk of new contractions.
EP SAFE actively works to reduce LGBTQ stigma, a prominent barrier to care, by reinforcing community ties. Through his leadership in this organization, he is working close with leaders in Del Rio to recreate the success of EP SAFE.
Through this joint program, both rural communities are addressing LGBTQ stigma and raise awareness on sexual health.
As an Ambassador for the Greater than Aids Texas Spanish language campaign, he's brought local and statewide attention to the topic of prevention. Using not just the ads, but personal interviews and personal conversations, he has advocated for the use of PrEP for HIV prevention, particularly amongst Latino MSM.