Sonoma County Division of Mental Health

Interlink Self Help Center

The Interlink Self Help Center is located in downtown Santa Rosa and provides a safe environment for persons with psychiatric disabilities. At the Interlink Self Help Center members can access a variety of peer support services designed to maximize the individual's ability to improve the quality of their lives. The Center provides peer counseling, support groups, information and referral, empowerment, and socialization opportunities.

Contact:
Mary Simmons, Interlink Manager
707-546-4481
Website: Interlink Self-Help Center

Mental Health Cooperative (MH Coop)

The MH Coop is a partnership between GIRE, the Department of Rehabilitation, and the Mental Health Division of the Sonoma County Health Services Department. The MH Coop provides pre-employment readiness classes and employment services for clients with psychiatric disabilities. Through this partnership, support services are in place to ensure success on the job.

Contact:
Laurie Petta, Vice President of Workforce Development
707-523-0550 ext. 253

Project Hope

This program is a partnership between GIRE, the Sonoma County Department of Mental Health, Buckelew Programs, and the Community Support Network. Funding is provided through a grant awarded to Sonoma County Mental Health. The program serves adults who have a psychiatric disability, qualify for disability benefits, are homeless, and are not currently receiving County mental health services. The purpose is to provide case management services, housing and employment for the clients meeting the criteria. GIRE is responsible for the employment services component, which may include paid work experience. The paid work experience can be used to assess work habits, attitudes, social skills and tolerances. The duration of the work experience varies according to each individual's needs for a maximum of 90 days.

Contact:
Laurie Petta, Vice President of Workforce Development
707-523-0550 ext. 253

Wellness and Advocacy Center

The Wellness and Advocacy Center is a peer-operated and managed center. Peer-operated programs enable members to recognize and accept their inherent value, purpose and independence by encouraging them to make choices with self-determination, self-responsibility, peer support and peer advocacy.

The Center offers an opportunity for people whose lives have been seriously impacted by mental health distress to participate in groups and activities including Arts/Crafts; Employment Services; Gardening; Cooking Classes; Peer Counseling; our Stamp Out Stigma Speaker’s Bureau and peer led self-help groups. Some of our support groups include our Quarterlife support; GLBTQ support; Women’s group; Grupo de Apoyo de la Salud Mental; and a Self-esteem group. Other activities include a Walking and Stretching group; our Music Jam; a Board game group and our Art studio that is open daily.

We have an 8 station computer lab with lots of opportunity for Internet job search and resume writing. We offer computer tutorials for learning MS software programs in English and Spanish; English as a second language and Spanish Rosetta Stone; special Learning Disability software programs and even a few games.

Contact:
Helen Lara, Wellness and Advocacy Center Manager
707-565-7800

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