Actor Jason Canela, Miami Comedians Partner to Advocate for Latino Mental Health

At first glance, actor Jason Canela seems like someone who has it all: a thriving career, a beautiful family, and charisma that fills a room. But as the saying goes, "caras vemos, corazones no sabemos [we see faces, we don't know hearts]." Behind the spotlight, Jason has walked his own path through identity struggles and mental health challenges. That journey led him to an unexpected form of healing: stand-up comedy.

A recurring actor in the Apple TV+ hit Palm Royale, Canela has taken on another role off-screen as an advisor and passionate advocate for Mente, a wellness collective born from friendship and fueled by purpose. Mente's mission is to destigmatize mental health conversations in Latino communities by creating safe, joyful, and culturally relevant spaces. Its signature event, the Good For Your Mente Comedy Night, is precisely that: a brave mix of stand-up comedy and group therapy designed especially for young, diverse audiences in cities like Los Angeles, Phoenix, and now, Miami.

For Canela, the partnership was anything but planned. It began at what he believed would be a small promotional event for a Latino-themed board game. "It started with basketball and a ride to a random house," he laughs. That night, he met Mente co-founder Victor Arias, and what began as a casual hangout quickly turned into a seed for something more profound. "There was something about the energy in that room, about bringing people together to celebrate Latino culture in a way that felt real. It stayed with me."

Over the months that followed, the conversations deepened. Arias and co-founder Dan McSwain, longtime friends with backgrounds in marketing and politics, had both experienced mental health struggles and saw the need for an entry point into healing that didn't feel intimidating or clinical.

Their vision clicked with Canela. As a new father navigating life's complexities while processing the grief of recent personal losses, he recognized the urgency of their message. "Therapy doesn't always look like lying on a couch," he says. "Sometimes, it looks like sitting in a room full of strangers, laughing about things you were never allowed to say out loud."

That's the soul of Good For Your Mente. Equal parts comedy show and community circle, the event invites people to laugh, reflect, and leave with useful tools. For just $15, attendees not only get a night of top-tier Latino comedy but also a one-year premium subscription to the Calm app, one of the world's leading platforms for mindfulness and mental health.

The next event takes place Thursday, April 17, at the Deck at Wynwood Marketplace, featuring sets by comedians Carlos Hernández, Michael Soto, Eli Rodríguez, and Luis Diaz, who also serves as Mente's creative director. Together, they'll use humor to crack open conversations many of us avoided growing up.

"I've been talking about this since day one," Canela says. "Miami is a beautiful arroz con mango of stories, identities, joys, and traumas. We need spaces to laugh, cry, and feel seen all at once."

He knows that for many Latinos, especially first-generation Americans, mental health is still a taboo topic. "In our culture, going to therapy is not always seen as a strength. It's seen as a weakness, and that has to change. Our parents did the best they could, but we have a chance to do better for ourselves and for our kids."

Canela has tried to access therapy in the past but has faced waitlists and limited availability. "That's when you realize two things: one, a lot of people are trying to get help, and that's good. But two, there are still so many who are left without access." That's where Mente comes in. "We want to offer something to those people — to those who may not have insurance or resources but do have the courage to show up."

From California to Arizona, Good For Your Mente events have consistently drawn crowds eager for relief, connection, and a sense of belonging. People linger after each show, not just for selfies or drinks, but for honest conversations. "There's always someone who says, 'This is the first time I've talked about this,'" Canela shares. "That's when you know you're doing something right."

Family has also been essential in Canela's journey. His relationship with his brother, fellow actor Jencarlos Canela, has deepened as they've opened up about their experiences with depression and emotional resilience. "We're not perfect," Canela says. "But we show up for each other. And we talk. That's the most important thing: letting your people know they're not alone."

He also credits fatherhood with reshaping his priorities. "Being a dad changes everything. It makes you want to do the inner work because you realize your child is watching. You want to show them that feeling is not weakness — it's part of being whole."

Good For Your Mente Comedy Night. 7 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at the Deck at Wynwood Marketplace, 2250 NW Second Ave., Miami; 305-461-2700; thedeckwynwood.com. Tickets cost $15 and include a one-year Calm subscription.