Healthy Living

Creating Safe Spaces for People to Talk About Well-Being in Their Communities

Healthy Living is a community-based education program offering groups focusing on eight areas of well-being. The program is part of the Mental Health Center of Denver’s Child & Family Services and is open to Denver community members of all ages. Prevention-focused groups are offered in schools, transitional housing programs, community centers, churches and senior residences.

Well-Being: Environmental (occupying pleasant, stimulating environments that support well-being), Emotional (coping effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships), Financial (Satisfaction with current and future financial situations), Social (developming a sense of connection, belonging and a well-developed support system), Spiritual (expanding our sense of purpose and meaning in life), Occupational (personal satisfaction and enrichment derived from one's work), Physical (recognizing the need for physical activity, diet, sleep and nutrition), Intellectual (recognizing creative abilities and expanding knowledge and skills)

Adapted from Swarbrick, M. (2006).
A Wellness Approach. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 29(4), 311-314.

Bienestar: Entorno (ocupar entornos agradables y estimulantes que fomenten el bienestar), Emocional (Afrontar eficazmente la vida y crear relaciones satisfactorias), Finanzas (Satisfacer las situaciones financieras actuales y del futuro), Social (Desarrollar un sentido de conexión, pertenencia y un sistema de apoyo establecido), Espiritual (Ampliar nuestro sentido del propósito y significado en la vida), Laboral (Satisfacción personal y enriquecimiento derivado del trabajo), Fisico (Reconocer la necesidad de actividad física, dieta, sueño y nutrición), Intelectual (Reconocer habilidades creativas y ampliar conocimientos y aptitudes)

Meet the Team

Get to know our Healthy Living team and find out more about the classes we love to teach.

Lesha Groves

My name is Lesha, and I'm the Program Manager for Healthy Living. I enjoy working in the Healthy Living program because I believe we have a responsibility to provide programs that encourage an enriched lifestyle for the whole person. I believe that all people deserve the opportunity to grow and live a life of full health and wellness.

I am inspired by the authentic human experience. It is important to me to inspire others through my positivity, sense of humor, and belief in the inherent good of all people. I have a strong desire to develop the talents and interests of others in their work, which often helps to encourage their best professional use of self.

I enjoy spending time with my family, hiking, biking and swimming. When I’m home, I enjoy reading a good book and being cozy with my cats. One of my favorite authors is Brene Brown, whose books include Rising Strong and Daring Greatly.

My personal motto is, “Be Kind, Do Good – Always.”

My Top Strengths are: Positivity – Woo – Strategic – Communication - Maximizer

Jessica Vogle

My name is Jessica Vogle, CHES, and I am the Health Education Manager on our Healthy Living Team. I feel so fortunate to have been part of this team since its very beginning four years ago and with the Mental Health Center of Denver for eight years.

What I love most about the Healthy Living team is being able to provide an opportunity for people of all ages to learn about their own health and explore their passions. I love being able to bring people together in our communities, to learn from each other and grow, all while creating a sense of well-being.

My primary role with the Healthy Living Team is facilitating groups focused on physical health, especially women’s and adolescent girls’ health. Some of my groups are “My Body My Life” and “FloNatomy.” I also teach about Tobacco cessation and Diabetes education.

I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and lived in the city for 8 years before moving to Denver after the Mental Health Center of Denver offered me a position. As much as I would love to spend more time in the mountains skiing, I’m pretty busy at home with my husband, two young boys (1 and 3) and my dog.

My most-loved hobbies include running, Pilates, seeing live music, camping and spending time with friends. I try to incorporate my interests and passions into the groups that I teach.

Thanks for learning about me, I hope to learn about you!

My Top 5 Strengths are: Developer -- Activator -- Woo -- Adaptability -- Positivity

Mercedez Lang

Hello, my name is Mercedez Lang. I graduated with my Master’s in Marriage, Family & Child Therapy.

I am very passionate about life and each of our own unique abilities to live life fully, while experiencing a greater level of overall health and well-being. I love all things holistic and organic, and I attempt to implement that approach in all my teachings as I facilitate groups for Individuals and families throughout Denver.

I have been on the Healthy Living team for almost 4 years and love the diversity found in each of our different approaches, as well as the different class offerings we provide for the community.

If you join me in one of the groups I offer, I can assure you that you will be welcomed in a safe space that provides you with opportunity to grow, laugh, heal, learn and connect with others.

I am a free spirit who believes all growth begins with knowing and accepting ourselves just as we are; therefore, welcome to the next step in your unique journey of growth.

My Top 5 Strengths are: Strategic -- Relator -- Futuristic -- Input -- Self Assurance

MHCD Dahlia on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016 in Denver. (Photo by Chris Schneider Photography)

Michelle Tijerina

My name is Michelle Tijerina and I am the Voz y Corazón Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator for the Healthy Living Team.

It has been my honor and privilege to oversee such a unique and wonderful program for the last 5 years. Reflecting on all the various jobs I’ve held at Mental Health Center of Denver, over the last 14 years; I would say my passion lies in creating accessible and impactful opportunities for families, especially for our community’s young people to be able to increase their sources of strength and decrease the barriers to their genuine wellbeing.

I’m so grateful to all the amazing staff and volunteers, as well as our wonderful community collaborators for allowing me to bring my sense of healing and support into their lives!

When I’m not doing the work I love to do, my 9 lb chihuahua, Bobi (pronounced BO-Bee), keeps me busy and out of trouble, most of the time.

My Top 5 Strengths are: Achiever -- Activator -- Strategic -- Individualization -- WOO

Bertha Gomez-Zapata

My name is Bertha C. Gomez – Zapata. The main role I play on the Healthy Living team is the “A New Day” Resource Center Coordinator. I am originally from Colombia, South America and moved to the United States about 20 years ago with my two children. I have a Master’s degree in Social Work with a specialty in Early Childhood Education.

My passion for the Healthy Living team comes from the work we do for the community and the positive work environment. Everyone on the team has an extraordinary passion for their work and how they perform their job duties. I teach several groups and classes, such as the Incredible Years, Parenting Classes, and Salsa Dancing. I love working with women, especially those who have survived Domestic Violence. I thrive on empowering women, building groups, and increasing self-esteem.

I am Latina, a very passionate and vibrant individual that loves nothing more than spending time with family and friends. I love to sing and spend time in my garden with all my beautiful flowers. In my free time, I enjoy traveling and finding new exciting experiences. My positivity gives me strength to work three different jobs.

My Top Strengths are: Strategic -- Positivity -- Communication -- Input -- Responsibility

Cassandra Garcia

I am the newest member of the Healthy Living team as a Group Facilitator. I have been with MHCD for 8 years working in Adult Recovery Services as a case manager.

I am excited to start working with the Healthy Living team facilitating a variety of groups. I have a great passion for prevention and educating people on well- being and living healthy.

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Community Health and I’m a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and a Certified Addictions Counselor (CAC).

In my spare time, I like to play sports, work-out, travel, watch movies, and root for the Denver Broncos.

My Top Strengths are: Includer -- Consistency -- Competition -- Positivity -- Achiever

Katherine Frank

My name is Katherine Frank MSW, my title is Clinical Case Manager II. Group Facilitation is my main role on the Healthy Living Team. I have been on the team for a little over 3 years.

What I absolutely love about being on this team is that every day is different. Working with different people from young children to senior citizens. The ability to be creative and follow evidence based practices while at the same time finding new ways to engage within the community. I enjoy teaching a wide variety of groups for example; Cooking Groups, Social – Emotional Skills, Mindfulness, Chair Stretching for Seniors, Anti – Bullying, Parenting and Incredible Years.

Other areas of interest for groups are social skills and interactions such as a book club group, single plate meals, or shopping on a budget and finding the best price. A random fact about myself is I’m a HUGE nerd. I love reading and researching while taking in all types of knowledge. My husband and I love to spend time with our dog in the mountains or just lounging on the couch with our cats.

My Top Strengths are: Learner -- Individualization -- Input -- Ideation -- Strategic

We want to offer as many classes as possible to serve the overall well-being of children and families in the Denver area. To learn more about the class request process, please email healthyliving@mhcd.org.

One does not need to be enrolled in services at the Mental Health Center of Denver to participate in Healthy Living classes.