Paula Helu

Paula Helu is an Associate Professor and Department Chair of Psychology at Mount St. Mary's University, where she has worked since Fall 2017. She also serves as the Clinical Coordinator of the ¡Enlaces! Program, focusing on Latinx communities, and the Clinical Coordinator of the mental health crisis initiative at Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals. Her academic journey includes a PhD in Social Work from the University of Southern California (USC), a Gender Studies Certificate, a Master of Science in Counseling (Marriage and Family Therapy) from San Diego State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from CETYS Universidad in Tijuana, Mexico.

Her research emphasizes Latinx mental health, gender and sexuality, community mental health, and addressing serious mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia) through culturally responsive frameworks. She explores relationship and gender-based harms and develops programs for marginalized populations, including Latinx immigrants.

Her recent publications examine mental health access for Latinx communities (2019), psychosocial approaches to sexual health in serious mental illness (2016), and patient experiences in long-term care settings (2016). These works reflect interdisciplinary themes spanning social work, psychology, and public health.

Paula teaches courses such as Psychopathology, Gender and Sexuality in Spanish-Speaking Communities, and Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy. She actively bridges academic research with community engagement, particularly through collaborations with the Consulate of Mexico in Los Angeles and music festival crisis services.