Message from Chief Program Officer
Hola Wellnest Community,
May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to recognize the importance of emotional well-being and to dedicate important airtime and external messaging, like social media and outreach, to continuing to break the stigma that too often surrounds mental health. At Wellnest, we believe that mental health is directly connected to overall health, and that every child, youth, and individual deserves access to supportive, compassionate, and comprehensive care.
For more than 100 years, the dedicated team at Wellnest has embraced the critical task of serving the most vulnerable children, youth, and families in greater Los Angeles. Through community-based, school-linked, and onsite services at our seven locations, we are building stronger, healthier communities every day.
We’re excited to be expanding our Maternal Mental Health programming to better support mothers during and after pregnancy. We have also grown our Home Visitation services, bringing personalized, culturally sensitive care directly to families in the comfort of their homes. The Nest on Exposition will soon house 24 individuals at risk of homelessness, and we will soon break ground on the Community Wellnest Center, with a focus on integrated care, aiming to build a healthier future for children, families, and young adults who may face barriers to equitable healthcare.
We know that today’s external stressors—economic uncertainty, community violence, systemic inequities—continue to perpetuate mental health challenges. At Wellnest, our providers are trained to recognize and respond to these realities with sensitivity and care. We encourage all our clients, staff, and you—our community supporters—to prioritize your own self-care: take deep breaths, listen to the signs your body may be sending you, and look out for those around you and in your community.
Save the Date – Friday May 16th @ 2:00 – 5:00 PM we’ve partnered with Ora Café in Leimert Park, to bring an afternoon of wellness, as we celebrate the month ahead.
Learn more: wellnestla.org/mentalhealthawareness
Your mental health matters!
In gratitude,
Paco Retana, LCSW
Chief Program Officer
