Mental Wellness Center, 5/19/22, Vol. 36

l H a t ea lth M n e M s i ont ay h M

ARTWORK BY

Chris Potter

For 75 years, the Mental Wellness Center has been a community leader in building hope for individuals and families, providing support in recovery and raising awareness of mental health.

INSIDE: COMMUNITY WELLNESS PROGRAM

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SALUTE TO EDUCATION HEROES

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UPCOMING EVENTS

MENTAL WELLNESS CENTER’S

Community Wellness P rogram May is Mental Health Month, ...but every day of the year is Important for Mental Health!

Addressing mental health symptoms early is critically important to overall health.

While 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health. There’s often no one single cause for a mental health condition. Instead, there are many possible risk factors that can influence how likely a person is to experience a mental health condition or how serious the symptoms may be.

We find the average delay between symptom onset and treatments is 11 years, meaning a lot of people spend months or years facing mental health challenges before getting a diagnosis. It is never too early to seek treatment for your mental health. Intervening effectively during early stages can save lives and is critically important for people living with a mental health condition.

We are here for you when you or a loved-one are facing a mental health concern or living with a mental health condition. It is common to feel like no one understands what you’re going through. You are not alone – help is available, and recovery is possible.

Many people are learning about mental health topics for the first time. Having a widespread understanding of the topic can help you be more informed if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health condition or crisis.

While our society focuses much more on physical health than mental health, both are equally important. If you are concerned about your mental health, there are several options available. It may be hard to talk about your concerns, but simply acknowledging to yourself that you or a loved-one is struggling is a big first step.

When you are ready, we are here.

Annmarie Cameron, CEO

The vision of the Community Wellness Program (CWP) is to offer a variety of mental wellness and recovery programs free of charge to our community; to create community, provide social support and reduce stigma in a safe space without judgement. All community members are welcome and are welcome to bring a friend or family member.

Please join us for any of the following groups: u The Native Drum – (English/Spanish) A drum circle for all ages. This group uses native-indigenous instruments to practice mindfulness and well-being. Come and find a rhythm that works for you!

Mondays 5:30 - 7:00pm. u La Cultura Cura – (English/Spanish) An art workshop. Use art and expression for wellness. Únase al grupo de arte y expresión. Cada Viernes/On Fridays from 5:30 – 7:30pm. u Grupo Colibrí – A Family Support Group in Spanish. Un grupo educativo para apoyar a familias y personas quienes hayan tenido dificultad con la salud mental. No estamos solos. Cada Martes de 5:30-7:00pm empezando. Persona de contacto: Vicente (805) 845-3186. u Stronger Together Depression/Bipolar Group – Family members and friends welcome too!

Thursdays, 6-7:30pm. u SPOT Supporting Parents of Teens – We offer a virtual group for English speaking parents and a virtual group for Spanish speaking parents. u Keeping Connected – A virtual group for youth.

For more information contact cwp@mentalwellnesscenter.org

Dynamic Trio Leads Community Wellness

The dynamic trio includes Gabriela Dodson as the new Director of Wellness and Recovery Programs, a position that pairs well with her previous experience working in holistic programming. As a licensed clinical social worker, Dodson previously worked with public defenders to help people experiencing homelessness or mental illness.

Next in the dynamic trio is the new Assistant Director of Wellness and Recovery Programs, Vicente Garcia Jr., a Santa Barbara native who comes from a career in youth justice programming. He recently completed his master’s degree in counseling and has a passion for helping people.

Alexis Freeborn rounds out the dynamic trio with her promotion to Assistant Director of Wellness and Recovery Programs. Prior to the promotion, as the manager of the MWC Education Programs, Alexis led the Wellness Connection Council, a youth program of the MWC, as well as other educational programs. She is completing her master’s degree in counseling.

Salute to Education Heroes

Mental Health Matters Local Youth Lead by Example as They Advocate for Change Youth Mental Wellness Council

What an incredible year it has been for the council!

We were so grateful to meet in person again and be able to learn, laugh, and connect over the important topic of mental health and how it impacts us and our community. We focused on advocating for more mental health resources in the schools, understanding the importance of self-care and how to support others who may be experiencing a mental health challenge.

2021/2022 Council:

DOS PUEBLOS HIGH SCHOOL: Audrey Brecher,

Donna Entezari, Ella Benson, Evelyn “Evie” Pazan, Gabi Wilcox, Hannah Godlis, Isabella Valentine, Natalie Murray, Sophie Suh, Paulina Avina, Georgia Miller, and Leela Rao.

SAN MARCOS HIGH SCHOOL: Addison Headley, Angie Cummings, Charlotte Kelly, Dawson Kelly, Gabe Munoz, Kathryn Chenoweth, Lilian “Lily” Poehler, Mackenzie Young, Madi Ford, Madi Sparre, Maya Klanfer, Mia Amberger, Nikki Polito, Patrick Kelly, Ellie Naftaly, and Shaina King.

The Mental Wellness Center wishes to thank the dedicated volunteers of the Mental Health Matters teaching team who adapted to virtual teaching, persevered through the past two years of the pandemic and innovated to deliver the MHM curriculum to local youth!

Mental Health Matters (MHM) is a program of the Mental Wellness Center. Originally created in 2000, it is designed to introduce basic facts about mental health to elementary, middle and high school students.

The MHM course addresses three primary areas: signs and symptoms of major mental health disorders, stigma and how it affects our perceptions of mental illness and wellness activities and practices. The underlying premise of MHM is that with understanding, youth will know to seek help should they or someone they know experience symptoms of a possible mental health disorder, knowing that early treatment tends to lead to Wbetter outcomes.

A special Sea Star thank you to our Education Committee Chair, Ann Lippincott.

Volunteers: Ann Lippincott PhD, Bev Abrams, Beverly Lochridge, Christy Morse, Cynthia Manigault RN, Doug Sisk PhD, Dyan Colven PsyD, Jane Brody MA, Janis Spracher, Julie Kessler Solomon, Karen Feuer, Karen Merrill MSSW LCSW, Kathy Culbertson, Kathy Marden MFT, Kathy Fayram, MK Littman, Nancy Chase, Pat Bower Cooley PhD, and Terri Bailey.

SANTA BARBARA HIGH SCHOOL: Charlotte

Caesar, Kayla Cherry, Chloe Burrow, Matthew Rogers, and Dylan Root.

Thank you!

e h D t a te! e v a S 26th Annual Mental Health Arts Festival Saturday, July 16, 2022 11:00am - 3:00pm

De La Guerra Plaza, Downtown Santa Barbara Paintings, Crafts, Jewelry, Drawings, Poetry, and Sculpture.

For more information, visit: mentalwellnesscenter.org

3rd Annual Alma Rosa Winery

Alma Rosa Winery to Host Annual Walk Supporting Mental Wellness Center Saturday, July 23, 2022 Walk Registration: $55 per Participant For the third year, Alma Rosa Winery will host its annual Peace of Mind—10,000 Steps in the Right Direction fundraising walk. It will take place on Saturday, July 23, 2022 on the grounds of Alma Rosa’s 628-acre estate located just north of Santa Barbara near the town of Buellton, CA. The 10,000 step walk offers a tour the property, taking walkers on a 4.3-mile there-and-back ramble through verdant wine country where Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and Grenache vines grow thick with the plump fruit that has made that region so famous.

For more information, visit: mentalwellnesscenter.org

Mental Health First Aid Classes CAMP COUNSELORS EDITION Youth Mental Health First Aid Training May 21, 2022 9:00am - 2:00pm IN-PERSON Youth Mental Health First Aid Training June 16 & 17, 2022 5:00pm - 7:30pm IN-PERSON Youth Mental Health First Aid Training July 27 & 28, 2022 5:00pm - 7:30pm For more information, visit: bethedifference.org

Providing emotional support, educational resources and advocacy for individuals and families affected by mental illness, and fighting the stigma associated with mental illness in our community.

To learn more about NAMI, visit: namisantabarbara.org

LEARN MORE AT MENTALWELLNESSCENTER.ORG 805-884-8440 • 617 Garden Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101