May is Mental Health Awareness Month - 2024
April 17, 2024 9:45 AM
by Ivy Chang
Updated April 24, 2024
Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to increase understanding of and destigmatize conversations about mental health and substance abuse and elevate local resources that support diverse paths to prevention and recovery for all. Join the city of Santa Monica for a series of community events and activities highlighting mental and behavioral health throughout the month of May.
If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8, the LA County Department of Mental Health Help Line at (800) 854-7771, or text "LA" to 741741. Available 24/7. See additional mental health resources below.
*The city also recognizes Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in May. An asterisk indicates AAPI Heritage and Mental Health Awareness Month crossover events.
Please note that information is subject to change.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
DCRC Stress Awareness Event
April 23, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Disability Community Resource Center
Adult Mental Health First Aid Training
April 24, May 8 and May 29, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. online
*Moon & Stars: Los Angeles Asian Women in Art (benefit for the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association)
Exhibition Dates: May 1 through 27 at bG Gallery in Bergamot Station
Opening Reception: May 4, 5–8 p.m.
AAPI Cultural Celebration Day: May 18, 2–7 p.m.
Stuart House Presents: Simple Strategies to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse
May 4, 10–11 a.m. online
Beach Walk & Sketch with Resources from NAMI Westside LA
May 11, 9–11 a.m. at Annenberg Community Beach House
Wellness & Waves
Every Saturday May 11 through June 29, 9–10 a.m. at Santa Monica Pier
Aqualillies Mother's Day Splash & Tea
May 12, 1–3 p.m. at Annenberg Community Beach House
Mental Health Awareness Month Proclamation with Art of Recovery artist installations
May 14, 5:30 p.m. at Santa Monica City Hall
Kidical Mass Family Bike Ride + Mental Health & Wellness Fair with Art of Recovery artist installation
May 19, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Clover Park
Orchestrating Change film screening and Q&A
May 21, 6–8 p.m. at Santa Monica Main Library, MLK Auditorium
Take Action for Mental Health countywide event
June 1, 3–7 p.m. at Santa Monica Pier
MENTAL HEALTH PARTNERS AND RESOURCES
Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) offers prevention and treatment resources for individuals with a variety of mental health needs, including service referrals and linkages, crisis counseling and intervention, wellness coaching, and support for specific populations (veterans, LGBTQ+ youth, people experiencing homelessness, foster youth, etc.)
CLARE | MATRIX
CLARE | MATRIX is a nonprofit organization that saves lives by providing compassionate, evidence-based treatment for those who struggle with drugs, alcohol and related behavioral health challenges and strives to enhance the field of treatment worldwide through education, research, and training. Services include detoxification, residential and outpatient treatment for adults, adolescent prevention services, homelessness services, worldwide Matrix Model training, and certification, along with a series of other provider education resources.
Family Service of Santa Monica
Family Service of Santa Monica (FSSM) provides mental health services for children and families throughout the community in the form of individual psychotherapy and group work. FSSM supports Santa Monica public schools by offering onsite school support through individual and group counseling, crisis support, parent education and teacher consults. FSSM’s Early Childhood Wellbeing Project offers clinical case management, child-parent psychotherapy, developmental screenings, and parent support groups for families with children aged 10 and under.
Providence Saint John’s Child & Family Development Center
Providence Saint John’s Child and Family Development Center provides a comprehensive range of mental health outreach, prevention and developmental services in response to community needs since 1962. Available in English and Spanish, services are offered for children, adolescents and their families. Following a “clinic without walls” model, services are provided within the center, on school sites (SMMUSD and LAUSD), at preschools, in the home, in community centers and in the greater community utilizing evidenced-based practice models.
Social & Emotional Wellness Initiative
The Social & Emotional Wellness Initiative (SEWI) is a multi-faceted youth mental health organization that provides school-based individual and group therapy services. These services are free and can be provided without insurance coverage, which allows the organization to increase the accessibility of mental health support to those who need it most. SEWI's clinical social work team is trained in a variety of evidence-based practices that are both trauma-informed and culturally sensitive to the diverse community members that they serve. In addition to the therapeutic services provided, SEWI develops and runs wellness and psychoeducational workshops for educators, staff, and parents to increase positive engagement and understanding between youth and the adults in their lives.
WISE & Healthy Aging
WISE & Healthy Aging, Santa Monica’s senior services provider, offers a wide array of ongoing mental health services, including men’s and women’s support groups, caregiver support and workshops focused on decluttering, stress management and bereavement and transitions.
National Alliance on Mental Illness family support groups
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Westside LA offers a range of family support groups, including one group in Spanish at Virginia Avenue Park. The support groups are free for family members, significant others, and friends of people living with mental health conditions. By sharing experiences in a safe and confidential setting, participants can connect with others experiencing similar challenges, gain hope and develop supportive relationships.
Authored By
Ivy Chang
Senior Administrative Analyst