Institute@MHP

Ti’Aza is a Certified Peer Specialist and WRAP facilitator, with over a half decade of experience in the helping field. She is particularly interested in supporting individuals with mental health diagnosis and returning citizens. Ti’Aza is passionate about holistic approaches to wellness outside the medical model and centered on human interaction with nature and green spaces. Prior to joining the institute, she worked to support returning citizens in finding resources and employment.

Mon Ocampo (They/Them/Theirs/Elle) is a Bilingual Learning and Development Specialist for the Institute@MHP. They were born in Honduras and migrated to the US at a young age. Based on their lived experiences, Mon has dedicated themselves to serving and advocating the mental health needs of the Latine community and for the improvement of service-providing systems. Prior to joining the Institute, Mon worked as a peer mentor serving the acclimation period of the young migrant Latine community by providing resources and making connections within the community. They have also been part of one of Stoneleigh Foundation's research projects that highlights and strategizes youth-voiced opinions on the systematic gaps and their experiences with community-based resources. Combining their past experiences, Mon hopes to bring awareness to the systemic gaps that exist in mental health systems and educate different communities by uplifting the voices of those working within the recovery community.

Edward Drago (He/Him/His) is a Learning & Development Specialist at the Institute@MHP with over 25 years of experience in Human and Professional Services driven by a passion for using storytelling and peer support to cultivate relationships and mutual healing. He holds an A.S. degree and is currently pursuing a combined B.S./M.Div. program to further his education. Edward has extensive professional experience in the industries of Workforce Development, Community & Social Services and Professional Business Services in the for-profit and non-profit sectors. Edward has worked with a wide range of individuals including youth & young adults, veterans, unemployment and TANF recipients, justice-involved individuals, and individuals living with trauma and mental health challenges. Edward is a facilitator of MBSR (mindfulness-based stress reduction) and MBCT (mindfulness-based cognitive therapy) and is open about his own mental health journey, combining recovery and traditional medical approaches. As a servant-leader, Edward strives to educate, inspire and build hope for those all – especially those living with mental health challenges, by leveraging his diverse professional experience and lived-experience with mental health.