Mental health advocate to speak at Judson University

Judson University prepares to welcome alumna Heather Palacios to campus. Palacios will be a guest speaker for chapel at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, in Herrick Chapel, 1151 N. State St..

Palacios is an outspoken advocate for people with mental illness.

Palacios graduated from Judson in 1995 with a bachelor's degree in business management. Now, she and her husband, Raul, work in ministry at Church by the Glades in Coral Springs, Fla, where he serves as a church pastor and she leads creative production.

But it was in 2007 that Palacios launched a ministry blog, WondHerful.com, dedicated to encouraging people to laugh more and to better understand the challenges associated with mental illness. It also is how she ministers to others in need.

Palacios has written about her journey in Christianity Today. A recent blog post of hers began: "Have you ever noticed we post about going to work, school, doctor, vacation, but we don't tweet about going to a counselor or therapist? As long as God gives me the ability to communicate, Christian-counseling is what I'll be shouting. And I'm not just an advocate … I'm an avid member!"

This chapel event is free and open to the public.