Oxnard Wellness Center

This innovative program is based on the nationwide movement to integrate peer staff into mental health services, demonstrating the importance of self-empowerment and peer programs as part of mental wellness.  Members of The Wellness Center work with peer staff to develop self-advocacy skills, gain insight into wellness tools, and develop hope towards the possibility of recovery from mental health and/or substance abuse.  People who have experienced both sides of the mental health system provide hope, education and direct support among their peers where they can share goals, conquer fears and celebrate success. 

Our Recovery Success

Stories include men and women who have struggled to maintain their mental wellness and/or sobriety, had legal trouble, and/or been homeless. These men and women are able to come to the Wellness Center and participate in and experience the serenity of recovery.

The Wellness Center in Oxnard also has the only tri-lingual, English / Spanish / Mixteco language mental health program in Ventura County, Programa Latino Indigena, catering to the linguistic and cultural needs of a growing population.

The most debilitating health issue within the Latino community is depression, which commonly starts early in life, usually before the age of 25 and leads to decreased productivity, poverty, self-medication, as well as increased morbidity. Many never receive treatment for this illness, mainly due to the poor access to appropriate mental health care. Around 17.7% of Latinos suffer from depression during their lifetimes. Furthermore, if left untreated, mental illness symptoms will tend to get worse with time, which eventually impacts relationships, work and daily life.

Over the past calendar year, over 400 members of the community have sought services from The Wellness Center.  During this time, we have been able to re-introduce elements of The Wellness Center which had closed down due to the pandemic. The Wellness Center is now offering community outings, free lunch to all members who attend services at the center and monthly social events at the center which include games and prizes.  The Wellness Center also offers trilingual services (English, Spanish, Mixteco) and has began partnering with United Parents to host a monthly evening parent support group for Spanish/Mixteco speaking members of the community.

The Wellness Center is open to the public and requires no referrals, payments or forms of insurance for entry.  Individuals who sign up for membership are entitled to all the services offered at The Wellness Center.  Individuals with lived experience in the behavioral health system who are interested in volunteering are welcome to send their information to HR Manager, Amanda Shields.

The best way to support The Wellness Center is to refer over anyone who would benefit from the services offered at The Wellness Center.