Community Superheroes Raising Awareness for Mental Health

Over the last few months, community partners and leaders have been coming together to raise awareness of mental health and wellness for all in the Jupiter community. These partners have made our Jupiter Mental Fitness Week possible, and will be bringing more great ideas to improve mental health in the community. They are the true superheroes for mental health. We want you all to learn more about them!

Partners were asked to tell us their super power, and how it makes a difference in the community.

Kristen Bardin

Hi!  My name is Kristen Bardin and I would say my super power is creativity.  As the Director of Special Events, at Center for Family Services, I recently planned a reimagined event on Palm Beach called the Old Bags Luncheon.  The success of the fundraiser raised much needed funds for mental health services in our community.  I love that I can use my creativity to produce engaging events for our attendees, drive business to support local businesses and make a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable community. 

Cierra Hall

Hi! My name is Cierra Hall. I’m a pre-medical student studying Neuroscience and Behavior at Florida Atlantic University. My superpower is positivity. As a student, I started a small business designing shirts with positive quotes. My hope is that by shining our lights we can serve as reminders for others to continue to shine their lights as well.

Natalie Diaz

My super power is Mindfulness! My name is Natalie Diaz and I am a licensed Mental Health counselor, registered yoga teacher and founder of Jupiter Bloom Wellness. I blend breath and movement techniques with more traditional supportive "talk therapy" to help calm the mind and improve emotional regulation and mental fitness. This mindfulness-based approach, invites us to pause, reconnect with ourselves and hone in on the present in order to improve overall wellness and decrease stress. You can reach me through my website or come check out a FREE class every Saturday @ 9am in Cinquez park, 2183 W Indiantown Rd, in Jupiter! Through simple breathing and movement techniques, you CAN create the space, stillness and awareness you need in order to heal, to play, to grow and to BLOOM!

Jimmy Glenos

My name is Jimmy Glenos, and I am an Executive Coach and a Crisis Counselor. My superpower is EMPATHY. Whether I am coaching a CEO, a VP, a young professional, or counseling a teen in desperate need, I always give my heart, my head, and my hands to the person in front of me and the moment between us. Listening, caring, and giving are the secret powers we all have, we just don’t always know how to use them. And sometimes we can’t even find a way to use them on and for ourselves. Listen to your heart, care about your feelings, and give a little compassion to yourself first, so you can do the same for others. Personal empathy leads to communal empathy. Start with yourself and see where it goes.

Joanna Peluso

My super power is team work! Currently, I am the Project Director of Healthier Jupiter working alongside AMAZING community partners to promote healthy eating, active living and mental health! As a middle child in a big combined family, working with others is in my bones. Two minds are better than one, right? How about 30 minds?! I am grateful to all the partners working together to raise mental health awareness in the Jupiter community.

Paola Ardila-Riley

My super power is Embracing Love. As the School Behavioral Health Professional at Jupiter Elementary I support students, families, and staff. I help others find the strength within themselves and their communities. I assist them in finding the light they hold inside and help them focus on the love that surrounds them. Now more than ever, we need see the good in each of us. We need to lift each other up and be a part of a supportive community. We live in an area rich in culture, nature, amazing food, and kind people; let's embrace it all!

Tiffany DiPanni

My super power is Authentic Connection! Whether it be physically connecting others or personally connecting on an emotional level with someone I meet - it's about Authentic Connection. As human beings, connection is something we not only desire, but we desperately need. I enjoy finding the most meaningful connections with others that will bring life and engagement to the relationship. I also find it empowering to bring together other like-minded individuals with my established connections so our circles may grow and prosper. Check out her work with Social Savvy Seniors and DiPanni Dynamix.

Ellen DiMarco

My name is Ellen DiMarco and my superpower is COMMUNICATION!  The key to any relationship - business or personal - is open and effective communication.  As a local Realtor with Platinum Properties, I deploy this superpower daily, but music is my favorite form of communication. I started the Music Program at the Edna W. Runner Tutorial Center ten years ago so that underprivileged children could get the healing power and connection of music. My greatest joy comes from teaching kids at the Center how to express themselves through music. It provides them with the tools to deal with their emotions in a positive way and redirect their energies to being around other like-minded and inspiring people.

Nicole Baganz

As both a neuroscientist and the director of community engagement and programming for the FAU Brain Institute, my super power is compassion.  Science has shown that having compassion for yourself and for others promotes a healthier brain and creates healthier communities.  Being kind to yourself and to others literally is good for the brain!  You can check out our Brain Institute community programs at www.fau.edu/ibrain/community.

Betzy Rega

My name is Betzy Rega and my superpower is INSIGHT. In my position as El Sol, Jupiter’s Neighborhood Resource Center’s Health Coordinator paying attention is one of the most important factors to gain a feel for underlying issues. A single moment of insight leads to asking questions and venturing deeper with clients; transforming a simple conversation into all the pieces needed to equip and empower a neighbor in need.

Victoria Shepherd

My name is Victoria Shepherd. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Behavioral Health Professional at Jupiter Middle School. My superpower is advocacy. I educate students on the importance of mental health, help to improve the overall well-being of each student and help create a comfortable and safe environment for all staff and students. I strive to address the needs of every student by working with others within and outside the school to help students meet their personal, social-emotional and academic goals. I also work to teach others to advocate for themselves and empower students and families in our community to adapt and grow.

Win Prizes by joining in Jupiter Mental Fitness Week!

Join community Superheroes for a week of mental fitness. Themed days will be on social media and distributed to partners to raise awareness for mental health in Jupiter. Our campaign aligns with Palm Beach County’s Get Your Green on Campaign for Mental Health and Trauma Informed Care Awareness Month. Mental Fitness looks different for all of us! Share photos to show us what it looks like for you. Those who participate by sharing photos will be entered into a drawing to win prizes from local businesses and organizations.

Learn more by visiting www.healthierjupiter.org/mental-fitness.

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Healthier Jupiter, in partnership with Jupiter Medical Center is dedicated to bringing the greater Jupiter community together to encourage each person to live their healthiest life. Healthier Jupiter is part of the Palm Health Foundation’s Healthier Together Initiative, a long-term, community-driven approach to solving a community’s complex healthcare issues.

This initiative’s project goals include:

• Promote and ensure opportunities for healthy eating and active living

• Encourage people to engage mentally and physically in healthy behaviors

• Convene and collaborate with individuals and organizations across multiple sectors

• Advocate for sustainable policy changes to improve health

• Provide resources and education on chronic disease risks and prevention

• Address the social, economic and environmental factors impacting health