New Mental Health Group at Center LB
The Center Long Beach is proud to announce the formation of a Mental Health Steering Committee made up of medical and mental health professionals and community leaders. The 20-member committee is charged with the creation of a new mental health counseling program at The Center Long Beach.
“The program’s primary goal is to provide affordable psychotherapy for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community in a safe and supportive environment,” explains Kim Woods, Executive Director of The Center Long Beach.
The Center Long Beach received a grant of $25,000 from LA County Supervisor Don Knabe to start the program. “Mental illness affects people regardless of who they are,” said Supervisor Knabe, “an affordable mental health program like this provides access to underserved segments of our community.”
The program will offer counseling services to help people deal with issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship issues, HIV status, substance use and domestic violence.
A kick-off celebration will be held on Wed., Feb. 4, at 4 p.m. starting at The Art Theater next door and then moving over to The Center Long Beach, 2017 E. 4th St..
The committee is co-chaired by Long Beach First Lady Nancy Foster and community member Richard Lewis. Nancy Foster is a strong advocate of mental health awareness and treatment. “I applaud the Center Long Beach for providing the necessary help for people during these challenging times with this easily assessable new mental health program.”
“The steering committee is made up of a very talented group of individuals,” said steering committee co-chair Lewis. “This is the right group of people to make sure that we create a strong program.”
“We have a real need for mental health counseling services in our community,” stresses Executive Director Woods. “This will help our community and strengthen many of our existing programs. We are so thankful for each of the community member’s involvement on this committee.”