Making a Difference on Mental Health
For many of us, the open road can hold a special kind of freedom—a place where conversations can flow freely. For Nina Judge, senior construction administrator–capital projects at UGI in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, those roads are filled with cherished memories of long drives with her father, music cranked up, talking about everything there is to talk about in life.
Well, almost everything.
One topic remained unspoken: her father’s struggle with mental health. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder in his late 20s, John Malvizzi didn’t share this part of his life with Nina until she was about 18. “Looking back, there were some obvious signs,” said Nina. “He didn’t discuss it with me that much, and even in his bad moments, rather than talking to me, I just wouldn’t hear from him for a little while. He’d disconnect—and that’s not what you want to do.”
In July 2021, John’s battle with mental illness caused him to take his own life at the age of 57.
A few months after her father’s passing, a friend gently invited her to join a community walk hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. It was a beautiful day, but Nina was struck by how few supporters were present. “I came home talking to my husband, Bobby, about it, saying ‘There needs to be more,’” – not just more supporters, but more conversations about mental health and the resources available to people living with mental illness.
That’s when the John Malvizzi Foundation was born. Founded about a year and a half ago, the foundation honors her father’s memory through the metaphor of The Clear Umbrella—the idea that we can speak openly with others while remaining protected. By speaking openly about mental health struggles, the thinking goes, others can understand the signs and symptoms and reach out to help when it’s needed most.
The foundation hit the ground running. Its first Tee Up for Transparency golf tournament raised $10,000, which funded a well-received Community Mental Wellness Fair. A second golf tournament is set for September 22, with plans to support other like-minded nonprofits, including the very walk that inspired Nina—the community walk by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
One of the foundation’s newest initiatives involves certifying some of its board members as mental health trainers. This program aims to teach individuals and organizations how to recognize when someone—a friend, a coworker, a neighbor—is struggling with their mental health. More importantly, it equips them to feel comfortable initiating conversations and guiding them to helpful resources.
“Getting people to open up is the biggest marker of success,” Nina says. “We can’t always put it on the person going through a tough time to come to us. Everyone around them plays a part. We’re trying to tell people that you should talk about your struggles and that people are here for you. When you’re having a bad day or if you have mental illness, even if you feel like you shouldn’t be around people, that’s the best time to have someone to talk to.”
Nina’s dedication not only honors her father’s memory but also enriches the lives of those around her. UGI, her community, and our entire industry are fortunate to have someone like her leading the way toward a more open and supportive conversation about mental health.
If you or someone you know needs immediate support, call the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.