Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise Cipolla.
Hi Denise, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today
My passion is to help others in need. I spent 36 years as a high school teacher, school counselor, and Coordinator for Guidance & Counseling in Conroe I.S.D. Now retired, I am a mental health advocate for Montgomery County. I strive to serve others and connect people with resources- material, emotional and behavioral. I try to positively impact everyone I meet by helping guide them to turn their failures into fuel for future success. We can support each other when we develop grit and resiliency, and I feel teaching and sharing coping strategies builds a stronger community.
I am very active in the North Houston area as a volunteer with the Behavioral Health and Suicide Prevention Task Force of Montgomery County, BHSP (Communityhelp.org,), as well as on the Board of Directors for Lone Star Family Health Center and on the Board of Directors for Mosaics of Mercy, (Mosaicsofmercy.com). This work allows me to continue what I love to do, advocate for brain health, and help others see hope when feeling hopeless.
Mosaics of Mercy is a 501c3 organization that helps members of our community navigate mental health and substance use recovery resources. All services are free of charge. In times of crisis, it can be overwhelming to figure out where to get help and how to utilize insurance and treatment options. Family navigators walk the person/family through the process and make sure they connect with services.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Mental Health resources in Montgomery County are extremely limited. Waiting lists for therapeutic help can be several weeks. Many in our community lack financial resources as well as lack transportation to go outside of our immediate area. With stress, anxiety, and suicide rates on the rise, finding affordable and available mental health is essential.
The Behavioral Health and Suicide Prevention Task Force has work groups who support Montgomery County and focus on where there are gaps in services. It is a completely volunteer organization comprised of compassionate community members and professionals from the behavioral health fields. Mosaics of Mercy evolved from founders who saw the desperate needs and lack of knowledge in seeking help. The largest struggle is that there is little financial assistance in providing these services to our community. Another major struggle is continuing to eliminate the stigma related to seeking mental health help and substance abuse services.
Spreading the word of who can assist in Montgomery County is paramount in building a stronger community.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My true purpose and passion is to help others. As an English teacher, I quickly discovered I wanted to connect more with my students and counseling was my way to do that. I always wanted to work in a school to provide help to those who had no other means to receive it. During my 36 years as an educator, 32 of those as a counselor, I have been tremendously privileged to help countless students, parents, and staff members. Having their trust and enabling their hopefulness has been such a blessing. I was honored as the Texas Counseling Association Counselor of the Year and during my 7 years as Conroe I.S.D. Coordinator of Guidance & Counseling I had the opportunity to impact many counselors with training and mentoring thereby multiplying the numbers of individuals I could assist. I thrive on helping others see their potential, and it has been a very rewarding and fulfilling career as I encouraged others to give 110% to each individual child regardless of the numbers of children they serve.
I’m known to be friendly, approachable, easy to talk to as well as patient and positive. I don’t give up. I strongly advocate for the counselors, for individuals, and for our community mental health resources. Connecting with others as well as connecting people with one another spreads our mission, goal, and effectiveness.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
My success is due to my genuine desire to make this world a better place. I don’t care if I am recognized or rewarded, I just want to help others. Treating each other with respect and being there when we are needed is so simple and yet for many so hard. You cannot tell a child or an adult for that matter to be kind… if they have never known kindness, they don’t know where to start. So, teaching kindness, competence, self-advocacy, empathy, and resilience are instrumental in building a stronger community. Modeling and teaching a CAN-DO attitude speaks volumes. Help establish hope. Recognize that there are good days and bad days for all of us, and if nothing goes particularly wrong, then it’s a good day. Media today has brainwashed that it is only rainbows and sunshine and rock bottom low. I feel this is what has made many desperate and depressed. Flipping the switch on negative thinking is a great tool for people of all ages.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://Mosaicsofmercy.com/
- Lone Star Family Health: https://www.lonestarfamily.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mosaicsofmercy
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mosaics-of-mercy
