Press Releases

From Feeling Powerless to Being Empowered

The Association of Community Human Service Agencies (ACHSA) held its annual luncheon on October 18 at the Biltmore Hotel where more than 500 human services professionals came together to embrace the newest changes that took place this year to the mental health delivery system that directly serves Los Angeles County’s most vulnerable residents. Among the […]

How a Four Year Old Overcame a Trauma to Experience Triumph

In October 2016, four-year-old Alexis was hospitalized for two weeks due to symptoms related to pneumonia. In that short time, Alexis who was naturally active and energetic was placed into physical restraints due to being viewed as “hyperactive” to a degree that medical staff felt restraints were the only option to ensure proper administration of […]

Family is Her Therapy

Born and raised in New York and New Jersey area, one of the things that Charlene Grambling, a realtor in San Fernando Valley, understands is the importance of a village, having people to help you and guide you along the way. “My mother was a positive voice in my home and she helped the less […]

Ways You Can Help

Help our children get a fresh start at school. Mental Health Clinician Leslie Cost is coordinating a back-to-school drive for our clients. We are collecting school supplies like pencils, pens, colored pencils, paper, pencil case, erasers, highlighters, binders, notebooks, compass, among other things. So while you may be shopping for these items, consider picking up […]

Separation from parents has long lasting effects into adulthood

Opinion-Editorial By Maria G. Williams, a Licensed Family and Marriage Therapist and Clinical Supervisor at El Centro de Amistad How many new parents have experienced the anxiety, sadness, and fear when their child is attending their first day of school? Many questions come up at the time that makes us wonder if the experience will […]

What You Need to Know about Depression and Suicide

By Sara Pineda, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Program Director for El Centro de Amistad Most of us might have experienced feeling unhappy or feeling “down” at some point in our lives.  We might have experienced not getting the job we were hoping for, a break up, or not getting a good grade on an important […]

How One Man’s Breakdown Led to his Empowerment

Gary Nash, 42, is a survivor. After having had a nervous breakdown that stemmed from losing a job, getting a divorce, and attempting suicide twice, he found himself at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center on a 72-hour hold. He stayed admitted for two weeks and thereafter discharged with a list of places to call for mental […]

Ways You Can Help

Join us at our Community Mental Health Day on May 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at San Fernando Regional Pool 2nd floor Banquet Room, 300 Park Ave. in San Fernando. Consider donating to help individuals living with mental illness enjoy self-care activities, receive proper nutrition, and learn about financial literacy. For a $15 […]

Removing Barriers to Employment

It’s not easy wearing different hats every day yet Nicole Salazar, a CalWORKs employment specialist at El Centro de Amistad, manages her accessories well. Her role in this program is to meet with clients and help them progress toward their employment and educational goals. Nicole accomplishes this by removing mental health barriers in order for […]