For nearly 75 years, the Mental Wellness Center has been building hope for individuals and families, providing support in recovery and raising awareness of mental health within the Santa Barbara community.
The Mental Wellness Center provides mental health education to local students, a residential services program which safely provides a home to more than 100 community members across seven residential sites, and serves individuals & families impacted by mental illness through support groups, employment services and social connection programs like the Fellowship Club, an on-site social day club and safe space with resources for those living with mental health challenges.
Family Advocate Services - Are you a parent or family member trying to cope with the ramifications of your loved one’s serious mental health disorder or substance abuse disorder on your family while also navigating the public and private mental healthcare
system? Family Advocated are dedicated to and trained to offer one-on-one support during such challenging times with experience that will assist you in accessing the range of clinical and support services available in our community. Services are offered at no cost and available in both English and Spanish. Contact Casey Conneely, Family Advocate, at 805-325-5580 for an appointment or find current walk-in hours at mentalwellnesscenter.org.
Mental Health at Home Peer & Parent - Mental Wellness Center’s interdisciplinary team works in a family’s home or at our offices to engage and support the mental health needs of referred families with an adult child who has severe mental illness. The team establishes individual relationships with family members and adult children in the hopes
of providing education, support and connection to mental health resources, breaks down barriers, and promotes recovery and resilience for the entire family. For more information, please contact Casey Conneely, Family Advocate, at 805-325-5580.
Compartiendo Esperanza - A family support group for adults in Spanish. For more information on Compartiendo Esperanza, please contact Casey Conneely, Family Advocate, at 805-325-5580.
Moms Offering Motivation and Support - M.O.M.S is a group that provides a safe space for moms to share experiences, offer encouragement, and learn coping strategies. Together, we build a community of strength, hope, and understanding. The group meets on Friday mornings. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact the office at (805)-884-8440.
Family-to-Family - The Mental Wellness Center is pleased to offer our community a dedicated Family Advocate who is trained with familiar issues faced by families impacted by mental health disorders. The Family Advocate assists families who are trying to understand and deal with the impact of serious mental health disorders in their family and provides assistance in understanding and navigating the local public and private mental health systems. The Family Advocate also works with and supports NAMI Santa Barbara County. For more information, please contact Casey Conneely, Family Advocate and F2F course coordinator, at 805-325-5580.
Stronger Together - Connect with other adults who live with depression and/or bipolar disorder on a weekly basis. Tuesday evenings in person. For information on how to join, please contact Casey Conneely, Family Advocate, at 805-325-5580.
Grupo Colibri - A mental health support group in Spanish for adults. For more information on Grupo Colibri, please contact Casey Conneely, Family Advocate, at 805-325-5580.
Mental Health Matters - Mental Health Matters is an in-school curriculum that teaches nearly 3,000 6th graders and high school students in 100 separate SB County School classrooms (1) knowledge, (2) attitudes and (3) behaviors regarding mental health
issues. Students learn the basic facts about mental health signs and symptoms, how to talk with someone if they are experiencing mental distress, and where resources and help are available within the school and the larger community. Healthy strategies in
dealing with stressors endemic in today’s uncertain world are also reviewed. For more information contact Mental Health Matters Program Coordinator, MK Littman at 805-252-6690.
The Wellness Connection Council is a high school leadership program of the Mental Wellness Center that educates, empowers, and engages students. Students raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health by promoting self-care, connection, kindness, education, prevention, and outreach amongst their peers. For more information contact MWC Education Dept. Manager & Wellness Connection Council Lead Facilitator Alexis Malatesta at: support@wcclubs.org.
A full listing of our programs and services, including additional adult resources, are available on our website.