Non-Profit Mental Health Agency, El Centro de Amistad offers Free Virtual Support Groups during Mental Health Awareness Month in order to provide assistance and relief to those suffering from depression and anxiety during COVID-19. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / PRURGENT
SAN FERNANDO, CA, May 14, 2020 – As part of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, El Centro de Amistad’s Community Mental Health Month promotes positive and mental wellness. The mental health nonprofit is bringing the community together in a fun and innovative way as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have all become aware of the importance of mental health and the daily practices required to maintain our wellbeing. To stay connected with their clients during social distancing restrictions, ECDA transitioned to telehealth services and is providing virtual support groups to the community. These services provide the mental health nonprofit Agency the ability to stay in touch with their clients while also offering support to the community at no cost.
“Being mentally healthy is important and a priority. The stressors of decreased income and being confined to our homes has increased the possibilities of mental illness, specifically depression and anxiety. It is crucial to have healthy coping skills in times of crisis. Mental health is vital and essential in maintaining a balanced life especially in these unprecedented times, in our efforts to provide emotional support and a healthy social outlet during this trying time, ECDA is now offering virtual support groups to the community,” said Tamika Farr, executive director of El Centro de Amistad.
The following virtual support groups are being offered for community members and are free of charge:
COVID-19 Virtual Support Groups & Family Activities
This virtual support group provides support and tips on how to stay safe during COVID-19, teaches coping strategies and relaxation tips to help overcome stressors, and provides parents with learning activities to do with their children. Presented by: Daisy Rosales, MA., LMFT ECDA Family Preservation Clinical Supervisor
Every Friday from 10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Via Zoom:
Meeting ID: 986-5172-4845
Meeting Password: 593203
For more information please call Daisy Rosales (818) 593-4246 ext. 324
Making Parenting a Pleasure Virtual Support Group
This support group bring parents together virtually to help parents manage difficult behaviors at home and provides self-care and stress relief tips to help parents unwind. This group is instructed in both English and Spanish and provides parents with “parenting tool-box tips.” The class is instructed by ECDA, Mental Health Clinician Maira Lopez.
Every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Via Zoom:
Meeting ID: 932-1096-3273
Meeting Password: 494834
For more information please call Maira Lopez (818) 898-0223 ext. 115
Virtual Wellness Yoga for All
Bring your yoga mat and join El Centro de Amistad yoga instructor and Mental Health Clinician, Tennya Smith for gentle stretches and breathing techniques to promote calmness and flexibility. Inclusive yoga for all ages, abilities, and experience.
Wednesday, May 27th from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Via Zoom:
Meeting ID: 425-346-9735
Meeting Password: 106924
Throughout its 40 years in this community, El Centro de Amistad has served more than 100,000 individuals, empowering the lives of children, families and individuals for a better tomorrow. With support from its multilingual and cross-cultural staff, they serve 1,500 children, adults and families annually. The agency’s goals are to reduce risk factors that lead to violence, school failure, gang affiliation, and child abuse. When treating adults, the goals are to curb debilitating behaviors, assist in enhancing self-sufficiency, and resolve issues that are barriers to employment.
If you are interested in learning more about El Centro de Amistad and its three clinics, two in Canoga Park and one in San Fernando, call 818-347-8565 and 818-898-0223, respectively. Visit www.elcentrodeamistad.org to learn how you can help. | 
