Mental Health Client Action Network

The Mental Health Client Action Network (MHCAN) is a peer run non-profit agency that provides drop-in mental health services for persons who have serious mental health conditions like bipolar conditions and schizophrenia. The majority of our clients have experienced childhood trauma, many are in substance abuse recovery, and approximately 40% are homeless residents of Santa Cruz. Our services include peer support and therapy groups such as Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support, Schizophrenia Symptom Management, Music Therapy, Anxiety and Depression, and County Psychiatric Health Facility Aftercare. We provide an array of substance abuse recovery groups such as the cognitive behaviorally based SMART Recovery, Seeking Safety for recovery from PTSD and substance abuse, and many 12 step meetings. Our Wellness Center provides Chinese medicine and acupuncture treatment in conjunction with Five Branches University, an East-West Herbal Clinic, and therapeutic massage. Our community outreach includes a client-led Shadow Speaker series held at local mental health facilities and churches, and a peer support group for persons in the County Psychiatric Health Facility. We hold food banks throughout the week, and our commercial sized kitchen for client use is the only place many of our clients have to prepare hot meals. All services are provided free of charge. MHCAN is part of the peer based mental health movement and believes that persons have a human right to be in charge of their own mental health care. We are the only peer owned and operated mental health agency in the county: at least 2/3 of our board of directors, and all staff, are peers with lived mental health experiences. Volunteers need not be. We welcome your interest in volunteering with us.