Mental Wellness Center (MWC) is partnering with SeaVees, the Santa Barbara-based shoe company, to support mental health education for local youth throughout Santa Barbara with a shoe that gives back to the community.
Designed in collaboration with Carissa Potter Carlson of People I’ve Loved, the collaboration is meant to bring awareness to the importance of mental health, with 10% of every pair sold being donated to MWC.
The Mental Health Awareness Baja Slip On is a limited-edition sneaker that includes Carlson’s affirmation artwork on the outside upper and a secret message screen-printed in the inside footbed. The outsole uses a pop of green, the color of the international symbol for mental health awareness.
“We are grateful to SeaVees for their support of youth mental wellness in our community,” said Annmarie Cameron, CEO of Mental Wellness Center in Santa Barbara. “Their fun and stylish shoes are a fresh and innovative way to spread the message that youth mental health and education is critical, not just in our area but across the country and world,”
The joint effort supports MWC’s Wellness Connection Council and Mental Health Matters (MHM) program, which is designed to introduce basic facts about mental health to elementary, middle and high school students.
MHM’s work is established in the Buellton, Carpinteria, Cold Spring, Hope, Goleta Union, and Santa Barbara Unified school districts, as well as in several local private schools.
The premise of MHM is that with understanding, youth will know to seek help should they or someone they know experience symptoms of a possible mental health disorder, knowing that early treatment tends to lead to better outcomes.
There is evidence of a recognized need for mental health education that is grounded in the increase in requests and the ongoing success of the MHM curriculum.
To see the new collection worn by the students of the Wellness Connection Council leadership program and to buy the collaboration, visit https://www.seavees.com/…/mental-health-awareness.
Learn more about Mental Wellness Center at www.mentalwellnesscenter.org, and SeaVees at www.seavees.com.