Tag: Mental Wellness Center

Continuing — Mental Wellness Center Community Wellness Program presents ‘Stronger Together,’ a bipolar & depression support group on Thursdays

SANTA BARBARA — The Mental Wellness Center Community Wellness Program presents Stronger Together, a bipolar & depression support group from 6-7:30 p.m.  Thursdays.

This is a drop-in support group where you can find support in a safe and confidential setting. Family members are welcome!

To join, contact Elizabeth Imperato at wrapofsantabarbara@gmail.com

Mental Wellness Center Welcomes Two New Directors

 Annmarie Cameron, Mental Wellness Center CEO, announced today that the nonprofit is onboarding two new directors to its leadership team. Liat Wasserman, Director of Development & Communications and Gabriela Dodson, Director of Wellness & Recovery Programs, round out a group of four directors led by Cameron, charting a strategic course aimed at broadening awareness and programming for the organization in service to Santa Barbara County residents.

Liat Wasserman, MA/MSW, comes to Mental Wellness Center after a career in public relations, several years as a grant writer and, most recently, Development and Communications Director at Unity Shoppe. Wasserman brings strategic thinking, effective communications, event planning and donor relations experience to her work with all groups – clients, foundations, corporate and private donors, and all other supporters. A mother of two, Wasserman has spent years volunteering in her area of expertise by serving on committees and boards for local causes: education, cross-cultural communication, religious and ethnic diversity, and event branding.

Alma Rosa Winery to Host Annual Walk on June 23 Supporting Mental Wellness Center

For the third year, Alma Rosa Winery plans to 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 steps walk offers a tour of the property, taking walkers on a 4.5-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.

New Hires Lead the way at the Mental Wellness Center

The Mental Wellness Center (MWC) is celebrating 75 years of providing mental health services to the people of Santa Barbara. 

For 30 of those years, Annmarie Cameron has served as the organization’s CEO, nurturing it from a small to mid-sized nonprofit that serves thousands of people every year. 

“We’ve expanded the way we approach our work,” Cameron said. “We aim to catch people earlier rather than waiting for them to become mentally unwell. We understand the value of early intervention and prevention, the sooner you address it, the better the outcomes are.” 

A year after a local tragedy, a partnership emerges to support youth programs at Mental Wellness Center

The Mental Wellness Center has announced a partnership with the #SpeakupforLee campaign to fund improved mental health awareness in Santa Barbara and support the youth education provided by the Mental Wellness Center in Santa Barbara.

The #SpeakupforLee campaign originated as a memorial for Lee MacMillan, a social media influencer known for documenting her globetrotting on Instagram and YouTube. She attained notoriety for traveling from her native land of Canada to the tip of South America in a Dodge Sprinter with her boyfriend and their dog. In early 2020, MacMillan began a Sprinter Tour of Morocco with two fellow influencer friends, but their trip was cut short by COVID-19, after which MacMillan moved to Santa Barbara.

Nov. 6 — Mental Wellness Center Brings Project Reboot to Santa Barbara

On Sunday, November 6 @ 4:30 pm, the Mental Wellness Center (MWC) will present Project Reboot, a 3-week screen time program that begins with a keynote presentation by Project Reboot’s founder and director, Dino Ambrosi. The presentation will take place at Santa Barbara City College’s Garvin Theatre, and will introduce attendees to new knowledge, skills and habits aimed at reducing reliance on social media and tech screen time.

The Expectation of Happiness and Joy are Part of the Paradox of This Holiday Season

The holiday season is upon us, and for many it’s not the happiest season of all.

While celebrations can bring positive feelings like love and connection, according to the American Psychological Association, 38% of Americans say their stress actually gets worse during the holidays, bringing about negative emotions like fatigue, anger and irritability, which can lead to physical illness, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. The reasons given: lack of time, financial pressure, gift-giving, and family gatherings. And, even after the holidays, many experience a feeling of general disappointment and “let down”.

“One of the most beneficial things we can do leading into the holiday season is to reassess our expectations–our expectations of ourselves, and our expectations of others.  This will create a more realistic foundation from which to move forward through the season,” said Annmarie Cameron, CEO of the Mental Wellness Center. 

Jaan Landheer Joins Mental Wellness Center as New Program Manager for the Fellowship Club

Jaan Landheer joins the Mental Wellness Center as the new Program Manager for the Fellowship Club. Born and raised in Santa Barbara, Jaan returned to his hometown after graduating UC Santa Cruz to become a street outreach worker.

Jaan brings experience working with young adults and children with mental health challenges as a therapeutic behavioral specialist for youth at Casa Pacifica. He has always had a passion for supporting others with mental health awareness. 

Pandemic Leads Many to Look to New Career Options

The pandemic has led to one of the greatest periods of job loss, career changes and a restructuring of how work is performed, (i.e. working remotely, flexible schedules, etc.). While much of this has deeply impacted the economic wellbeing of millions of Americans and has caused stress and disruption, there may be some longer term positive outcomes.  As the economy starts to recover and jobs are becoming more abundant, the crisis has given many of us some flexibility and time to think about our careers and our lives…perhaps bordering on existential questions like… “Who are we?”  “Who do we want to be?” “Where can we best contribute?” And most importantly, “What kind of work is actually meaningful for us and our work-life balance that we have now come to appreciate in this changing period–weighing the need to support ourselves and our families with a growing urge to do something new as this crisis has subsided?” 

Mental Wellness Center Welcomes Scott Lochridge to its Board of Directors

The Mental Wellness Center announces the addition of Scott Lochridge to its Board of Directors. Scott Lochridge is an executive and strategic advisor to multinational corporations, nonprofits, and early-stage companies. He has over four decades of experience working with CEOs and executive teams to create and scale highly effective organizations, develop dynamic strategies for growth, create new capabilities, pursue new market opportunities, achieve sustainable operating & financial performance, and lead major change initiatives.

Free Family-to-Family Education Program for Family Members of Adults Living with a Mental Health Disorder

Family-to-Family is a free, 8-session education program for family members of adults living with a mental health disorder that will be held from Wednesday, September 22 – Wednesday, November 10th. This course is designed to help family members understand and support their loved one while maintaining their own well-being.

The class will cover information on illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression and other mental health conditions and is taught by trained teachers who are also family members that know what it is like to have a loved one struggling with a mental health disorder. 

July 13 — Mental Wellness Center Partners with PBS to Host Virtual Event for Mysteries of Mental Illness Docuseries

The Mental Wellness Center, in partnership with PBS, is hosting a free virtual event and live panel discussion on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 from 6:00-7:30 PM via zoom.

The virtual event will include exclusive preview clips of and conversation about the new PBS documentary series, Mysteries of Mental Illness. Registration is required, to learn more about the event and register, click here.

Through Nov. 10 — Free Family-to-Family Education Program for Family Members of Adults Living with a Mental Health Disorder

Family-to-Family is a free, 8-session education program for family members of adults living with a mental health disorder and is designed to help family members understand and support their loved one while maintaining their own well-being. The program will be held from on Wednesdays through Nov. 10.

The class will cover information on illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression and other mental health conditions and is taught by trained teachers who are also family members that know what it is like to have a loved one struggling with a mental health disorder.

Family-to-Family’s north County presentation will be online via ZOOM. The south County presentation will be online via ZOOM or in a

Give a Gift to Local Youth by Taking Youth Mental Health First Aid

Just as First Aid helps you assist an individual in a medical crisis, Mental Health First Aid helps you assist a young person experiencing a mental health challenge or substance use issue. Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara County and the Mental Wellness Center are encouraging adults in Santa Barbara County to give the “gift of their aid” to our local youth by registering for one of six, free Youth Mental Health First Aid courses being offered in January.

“We know that youth are impacted by school closures and social distancing guidelines, and they may not be forthcoming about the difficulties they are experiencing,” says Annmarie Cameron, Chief Executive Officer for the Mental Wellness Center. “Adults can make a huge difference by getting trained on how to respond to mental health concerns in a young person. Our goal is to train 500 additional community members in 2021.”

July 13 — Mental Wellness Center to present 25th Annual Mental Health Arts Festival in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA — The Mental Wellness Center (MWC) will host its 25th Annual Mental Health Arts Festival at De La Guerra Plaza on July 13, honoring the work of local artists living with mental illness and celebrating the power of…

March 1 — Mental Wellness Center and SBCC Wellness Connection Bring “The Love Effect” to Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA — The Mental Wellness Center, Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) Wellness Connection, and San Marcos High School Wellness Connection Club are bringing “The Love Effect” to Santa Barbara and the community is invited to join the movement. The…

Mental Wellness Center Welcomes Two New Board Members

SANTA BARBARA — The Mental Wellness Center is proud to announce the appointments of Ned Emerson and Vickie Gonzales to its Board of Directors. Ned Emerson brings over four decades of business and sales experience to the Mental Wellness Center’s…

Mental Wellness Center Awarded ALKERMES Inspiration Grant™ for Mental Health Matters Curriculum

SANTA BARBARA — The Mental Wellness Center on Nov. 14 announced receipt of a $15,000 ALKERMES Inspiration Grant to support its Mental Health Matters program, an innovative curriculum that teaches sixth and ninth grade students basic facts about mental wellness, how…

NAMI Southern Santa Barbara County to Offer Family-to-Family Education Program for Families of Adults Living with Mental Illness

SANTA BARBARA — NAMI Southern Santa Barbara County, a program of the Mental Wellness Center, will offer its Family-to-Family Education Program for family members of adults living with mental health conditions. The free, 12-session course is designed to help all…

Mental Wellness Center Welcomes Andrea Carnaghe as New Board Chair

SANTA BARBARA— The Mental Wellness Center is proud to announce Andrea Carnaghe as the organization’s new board chair. The Mental Wellness Center is a private, non-profit organization providing recovery, education, and support services for individuals affected by mental illness including…

May is Mental Health Month: Mental Wellness Center Offers Tips to Improve Your Mental Wellness

SANTA BARBARA — In honor of Mental Health Month in May, the Mental Wellness Center is spreading the word that mental health is something everyone should care about. The nonprofit organization is offering the community a few easy tips to…

Local NAMI Chapter Offering ‘Family-to-Family’ Educational Course for Family Members of Adults Living with Mental Illness

SANTA BARBARA — The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Southern Santa Barbara County is inviting family members of adults living with serious mental health conditions to register for its upcoming “Family-to-Family” education program. The free, 12-session course is designed…