LSA 49 Health and Wellness Day
“It was a call to lead differently” – LSA 49 Health and Wellness Day
In a community that faces several negative health indicators, including high rates of diabetes, obesity, and asthma, when the phrase “health and wellness” is used, thoughts generally go to physical health. This is one of the reasons why the Health & Wellness team commenced our day outside of the Victory Capital Performance Center at The Rock at La Cantera – a state-of-the-art training facility, which exemplifies innovation in physical health and performance. But then we did the unexpected and turned the day on its head – announcing that our Health & Wellness Day was all about mental health.
Mental health is crucial for overall well-being, impacting individuals, communities, and even socioeconomic development, yet it often remains unaddressed due to stigma and a lack of awareness. In every LSA day so far this year (Civic Engagement, Education & Workforce Development, Military/Cybersecurity), mental health issues arose. The repeated recurrence of this topic captured our attention.
On June 11, 2025, Health & Wellness Day for LSA Class 49 focused on an expansive, inclusive, and transformative focus on mental health awareness. Framed by the theme From Awareness (now) to Empowerment (next), the day offered immersive site visits, meaningful dialogue, and personal reflection opportunities, all designed to cultivate self-awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage leadership in mental wellness advocacy.
Framing the Day
We welcomed participants, grounding the group in the idea that wellness is multidimensional and that mental health must be central to any holistic understanding of leadership. Angela Chavez, a trauma specialist, led participants through a breathing exercise and remained available throughout the day to support emotional processing. Conversation cards were distributed to prompt deeper bus ride reflections.
Small Acres Ranch
Co-founded by Eliana Mijangos-Brown and Dexter Brown, Small Acres Ranch offers a unique model for trauma-informed, community-rooted care. We learned how equine-assisted therapy and nature-based approaches are being used to support healing, particularly for historically excluded communities. In addition to equine therapy, we experienced other nontraditional forms or mental health support – sound baths and art therapy. The experience illustrated the power of culturally responsive, relational mental health strategies.
Clarity Child Guidance Center
At Clarity, South Texas’s only nonprofit mental health center for children, participants heard from CEO Jessica Knudsen, toured the facility, and participated in recreational therapy activities. The visit reinforced the urgent need to support youth mental health infrastructure and destigmatize treatment.
Valero + Expert Panel
At Valero Energy, Total Wellness Program Manager Jennifer Kester shared the corporation’s holistic approach to employee wellness. A culminating panel moderated by Jessie Higgins (Chief Mental Health Officer, City of San Antonio) brought together thought leaders from the region’s mental health ecosystem, including representatives from Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council (STRAC), Center for Healthcare Services (CHCS), and Bexar County Public Health. The panel explored system-level collaboration, innovation, and the need to embed mental wellness across sectors. Their message was clear: progress is being made, but the journey is far from over.
Call to Action and Reflection
The day concluded with a return to personal and collective responsibility – to move from awareness to
empowerment. We challenged our peers:
1. Prioritize their own mental health through reflection, rest, and proactive care.
2. Be visible champions for wellness in their families, workplaces, and communities by normalizing mental health conversations.
LSA 49’s Health & Wellness Day was more than a field trip. It was a call to lead differently. To check in with
ourselves and others. To create brave spaces for healing. And to move, collectively, from now…to next.