Coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Month, an event hosted by the Family Service Agency (FSA) of Santa Barbara County offered insight about youth mental health, and raised more than $147,000 for FSA, which includes the Santa Maria Valley Youth & Family Center, and Guadalupe’s Little House by the Park.
Funds brought in from the May 12 benefit will support programs for underserved children, families and seniors. There were 150 guests attending in-person at the Santa Barbara Woman’s Club at Rockwood, and 80 more participating in a free online simulcast on May 12.
After an outdoor reception with music and appetizers, Lisa Brabo, FSA’s CEO, told attendees a story about a foster-care student, Angelica, who struggled with depression and low self-esteem.
“Through twice-weekly meetings with an FSA therapist, Angelica worked through her experiences, building coping skills and slowly learning to trust others,” Brabo said. “She recently reunited with her mother and both are invested in repairing their relationship.”
In addition to basic needs support and parent education, FSA provides mental health counseling for those ages five and older. Since the pandemic, FSA has experienced an increase in the number of people referred to therapy, as well as the severity of cases.
More children and adolescents are experiencing challenges to emotional wellbeing, including documented increases in anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.
“We see the impacts of this youth mental health crisis on children, parents, teachers, and the whole community,” Brabo said. “This event provided an opportunity for community members to become more informed and unified in supporting the mental health of our youth.”
Keynote speaker at the event was Dr. Sarah Y. Vinson, a triple-board certified psychiatrist. A Harvard graduate and educator, Dr. Vinson oversees educational experiences at Emory and Morehouse School of Medicine. She is ardent about sharing skills and knowledge gained through her clinical and teaching experiences.
Dr. Vinson discussed how social determinants such as food and housing insecurity, lack of resources, and social acceptance impact mental health.
“The groups that were already marginalized have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic … So much about helping a child be well depends where they live, work, play and learn. That is what we mean about serving the whole person,” she said.
FSA programs ensure access to food, shelter, and other basic needs, holistically serving families through case management, parent education, advocacy and an array of mental health programs. Thanks to support from the community, no one is denied access to services due to inability to pay.
The event was sponsored by FSA supporters and mental health advocates including Tania and John Burke, Marni and Michael Cooney, Santa Barbara Foundation, Ginny and Tim Bliss, Zora and Les Charles, Montecito Bank & Trust, Union Bank, Jill and John Bishop, Dignity Health, Tisha Ford, Jane and Fred Sweeney, Carole MacElhenny, Liz and Andrew Butcher, and CenCal Health.
For a full list of sponsors, visit fsacares.org/sarah-vinson. FSA is still accepting donations as part of its spring appeal; to donate, visit fsacares.org/supportus.
FSA is a nonprofit social service agency, serving Santa Barbara County since 1899. Operating as Santa Maria Valley Youth and Family Center in Santa Maria, and Little House By The Park in Guadalupe, FSA helps the community’s most vulnerable children, families, and seniors meet basic needs while simultaneously addressing mental health needs.
For more, visit fsacares.org or call 805-965-1001.