The Mental Wellness Center promotes community wellness by providing education, support groups, and essential resources to raise mental health awareness in the community.
When we talk about community, the whole is indeed far greater than the sum of its parts. Take for example, what happens when a teenager starts showing symptoms of a mental illness. Do friends make fun or do they urge the teenager to get help? Does the school’s staff notice and begin a conversation with the family? Does the family take a stand for wellness and seek out treatment? Do doctors listen and are therapeutic resources available? Does a place exist where information and interpersonal support can be found to manage mental health? The best treatment occurs when all of these elements fall into place.
The Mental Wellness Center promotes community wellness by providing education, support groups, and essential resources to raise mental health awareness in the community. Together, we can stomp out stigma. Together, we can focus on broadening the awareness that mental illnesses are common and treatable. Together, we acknowledge that when people seek help, it is a sign of strength.
Mental wellness is an issue that affects us all; therefore, education and support should be available to the whole community. The Community Wellness Program (CWP) welcomes everyone* living in Santa Barbara County the opportunity to participate in courses to learn how to get well and stay well. We offer a range of free and/or low-cost activities incorporating support, awareness, and understanding in a safe space of healing. Many of our classes and activities listed below do not require pre-registration and for many of the support groups offered, drop-ins are welcome. Come join us!
*some groups are not open to the public and require pre-registration before attendance is allowed. For groups closed to the public, please contact group facilitator for more information and to register to attend.
Mondays from 6:00 - 7:30 PM on Zoom. This peer support group is based firmly on an ethos of self-help, mutual respect, and empathy.
For more information, please contact: Catherine Birtalan, Group Facilitator, at: hearingvoicesgroups.sb@gmail.com.
For more information and to participate in SPOT, please contact Mental Wellness Center Family Advocate, Ramona Winner, at: 805-884-8440 ext. 3206, rwinner@mentalwellnesscenter.org. You must contact Ramona first to receive ZOOM link. If you are interested in joining the SPOT Spanish Group, please contact Isis Castaneda at: 805-448-0920.
Tuesdays from 7:00 - 8:30 PM on Zoom. This peer support group provides support and education for family caregivers.
For more information, please contact: Tom Franklin, Group Facilitator, at: tefrfc@gmail.com.
Tuesdays from 5:30 – 7:00 PM on Zoom. WRAP is an evidence-based, self-directed prevention tool that one can use to stay well.
For more information, please contact: Catherine Birtalan and Elizabeth Imperato, Group Facilitators, at: wrapofsantabarbara@gmail.com.
Thursdays from 6:00 – 7:00 PM on Zoom. A group for family members and caregivers of loved ones living with mental illness, providing an opportunity to share with one another in a safe and supportive environment.
For more information, please contact: Ramona Winner, Mental Wellness Center Family Advocate, at: 805-884-8440 ext. 3206, rwinner@mentalwellnesscenter.org.
Monthly Speaker Meetings held on the fourth Thursday evening each month (except August, November, and December) on Zoom from 6:30 – 8:30 PM. These community meetings are free and are open to the public.
For more information, please visit: www.namisantabarbara.org.