July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Join West County Community Services (WCCS) in breaking the stigmas, often involving inaccurate stereotypes in mental health, and help us raise awareness of the unique mental health challenges faced by our minority community neighbors.
In 2020, the Sonoma County Behavioral Health Division’s 2020 Community Health Needs Assessment found that mental health is a significant issue in Sonoma County, with 1 in 5 adults experiencing a mental health condition. There are also significant disparities in mental health outcomes for different racial and ethnic groups in the county, with Hispanic and African American/Black residents facing higher rates of mental health conditions. The report also highlights barriers to accessing mental health services for minorities in the county (see report: https://tinyurl.com/bddtv6ak).
This is where four WCCS peer support sites located across Sonoma County come in. Our sites provide free, safe, and supportive communities for individuals to connect with others who share similar experiences, including those who may be facing unique mental health challenges and barriers. Our trained peer support specialists are also equipped to provide culturally responsive support to ensure that all individuals feel heard and understood. View the captivating interview below:
Petaluma Peer Recovery Center: offers many different services to our Members including one-to-one peer support, creativity and craft events, help with resource navigation, and a variety of support groups. PPRC membership is free. The Petaluma Peer Recovery Center is open Monday and Wednesday from 10 AM to 3 PM; and Thursdays from 10 AM to 1 PM. We are also offering support and resource information on our warmline 707-565-1299.
Interlink Self-Help Center in Santa Rosa: offers peer support for self-directed mental health recovery and wellness to our adult community members, free of charge. Interlink provides individual and group support, help with resource navigation and more. Interlink is peer managed and operated, in that our programs and services are provided by individuals with lived experience facing their own mental health challenges. The Interlink Self Help Center is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 9 AM to 4:30 PM and Thursdays from 9 AM to 2 PM. We are also offering support and resource information on our warmline 707-546-4481.
Wellness and Advocacy Center in Santa Rosa: offers one-to-one peer support, a wide variety of support groups and socialization activities, an open art studio, computer lab, as well as shower and laundry services on site. The Wellness and Advocacy Center is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM and Wednesday, from 12 PM to 4 PM. We are also offering support and resource information on our warmline 707-565-7800.
We are proud to have bilingual staff members who are dedicated to supporting the Spanish-speaking community: Ana Booker serves as our Community Outreach Manager, Maria Rico is our Sebastopol Outreach Coordinator, Yuliana Rojas is a Peer Specialists with Transitions, and Alfredo Hernandez is a Peer Specialist with Interlink in Santa Rosa. We also host a radio show on KBBF 89.1, the first bilingual public radio station in the United States, serving the North Bay and beyond since 1973, where we discuss mental health topics and resources for our community. The show airs every Tuesday, from 4-5 PM. To tune in, go to: http://quarrel.str3am.com:7050/live.
By providing a space for individuals to share their experiences and connect with others, as well as sharing information through our radio show, we hope to help address the mental health disparities here in the lower Russian River and throughout Sonoma County.
Thank you so much for the role you play in supporting West County Community Services.
For questions regarding our counseling and behavioral health programs please contact Christy Davila, LMFT 102201, Director of Counseling and Behavioral Health at (707) 823-1640 ext. 391 or (530) 513-7832 (cell).
To donate or learn more about our programs, please visit our website at http://www.westcountyservices.org or contact us directly at 707-823-1640, ext. 122. You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Nextdoor.
