Young Adult Mental Health Fund
Supporting healing, growth, and hope—together.
At the Free Methodist Church of Santa Barbara, we believe that mental and emotional well-being are essential parts of God's desire for wholeness in our lives. For young adults ages 23–29 in our church and wider community, we are honored to offer a Mental Health Fund to support you in your journey toward healing.
Whether you’ve already begun therapy or are taking your first courageous step, this fund provides up to $500 in reimbursement for sessions with a licensed therapist or mental health provider.
This isn’t just financial support—it’s a tangible expression of our commitment to walk with you through life’s challenges with grace, confidentiality, and care. Your privacy matters deeply to us, and all applications and documentation are handled with discretion by our designated pastoral and administrative staff.
Made possible by the Westmont Young Adult Leadership Lab through the Gaede Institute at Westmont College, this fund is one of the many ways we are striving to be a compassionate and responsive spiritual home for young adults.
If you or someone you know could benefit, we invite you to apply and let us journey with you toward deeper healing with Christ.
You can apply for the mental health fund HERE.
If after reviewing the application you have any questions please email Pastor Nikki at yallmhf@fmcsb.org.
This fund is inspired by and formed out of the collaboration of the Young Adult Leadership Lab team at Free Methodist: Kaylie Grant, Travis Smelley, Mary Woodyard, Alysse Mastromarino, Nick Noormand, Matt Smith, and Pastor Nikki. Any member of the team would be happy to chat with you further about this initiative.
Mental Health Resources for Young Adults
Whether you’re just beginning to explore mental health or actively seeking support,
these resources are here to spark hope and empower your next steps.
You are not alone. Support is available. And healing is possible.
These were gathered by trusted mental health professionals but the Free Methodist Church of Santa Barbara does not endorse, guarantee or take responsibility for any outcomes by the use of these resources.
🚨 Immediate Mental Health Support
If you are in need of immediate support, do not hesitate to reach out for immediate support
📞 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Free, 24/7, confidential support for anyone in distress.
Call or Text: 988
🌐 988lifeline.org
💬 Crisis Text Line
Text a trained crisis counselor anytime.
Text: HOME to 741741
🌐 crisistextline.org
🚨 Santa Barbara County Access Line (Behavioral Wellness)
24/7 crisis response and connection to mental health or substance use services in Santa Barbara County.
📞 (888) 868‑1649
🌐 countyofsb.org/4187/Access‑Line icarol.info+13countyofsb.org+13findhelp.org+13
🧡 The Trevor Project
Crisis support for LGBTQ+ young people—available 24/7.
📞 1-866-488-7386
Text: START to 678678
🌐 thetrevorproject.org
🌐 Website Resources
🔍 Psychology Today – Find a Therapist
Easily search for licensed therapists and mental health providers in your area. Filter by insurance, specialty, and location to find the right support for your needs.
🐑 Soul Shepherding- Spiritual Formation and Mental Health
That’s why Soul Shepherding exists—to help you get healthy so you can lead healthy. We equip Christian leaders like you to cultivate deeper intimacy with Jesus, emotional wholeness, and thriving relationships.
☀️ Better Days Podcast and Journal – Mental Health and Following Jesus
Desire is To Open Up A Conversation About Mental Health And Suffering Within Christianity That Approached These Realities From Compassionate Experience Combined With Theological, Psychological, And Cultural Research.
🏳️🌈 PFLAG – Support for LGBTQ+ Individuals & Families
PFLAG is the nation's largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families. Through a network of over 400 chapters, PFLAG offers peer support, resources, and advocacy to foster a more inclusive and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.
🌳 Local Therapy & Support Services
(including telehealth resources)
🌱 Hope Counseling Center
Nonprofit, faith-based counseling offering sliding-scale therapy, scholarships, and experienced clinicians in marriage & family therapy and clinical psychology.
🏥 Santa Barbara County Behavioral Wellness
Comprehensive public mental health and substance use treatment services through the county Behavioral Wellness department.
🌐 countyofsb.org/274/Behavioral‑Wellness sbceo.org+6readysbc.org+6icarol.info+6
👥 Family Therapy Institute of Santa Barbara
Sliding scale group and individual therapy
🌐https://ftisb.org/ or call 805-882-2400
💪 BrainPower Wellness
Telehealth psychiatry for adults, adolescents, and children
🌐 https://bpwimh.com/ or call 714-712-0711
🪴 Lifestance Health
Get the Mental Health Help You Need, the Way You Need It. Choose in-person or virtual visits from one of the largest networks of providers.
👣 Anxiety and Panic Disorders Clinic of Santa Barbara
Specializes in the evaluation and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with Anxiety Disorders including: Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, health anxiety, stress disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders, etc.
🌐https://anxietysantabarbara.com/ or call (805) 369-1346
🧠 Anxiety Experts
Offering Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP), a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), for the treatment of anxiety-based disorders including panic, selective mutism, social phobia, OCD, disordered eating and BDD.
🌐 https://www.anxietyexperts.com/ or call 805-705-0614
💬 Central Coast DBT
Specialized Dialectical Behavior Therapy for adolescents and young adults, offering individual sessions, skills groups, phone coaching, and family support.
🌐 centralcoastdbt.com
mentalwellnesscenter.org+15centralcoastdbt.com+15linkedin.com+15
🏠 Mental Wellness Center in Santa Barbara
Through mental health education, essential community services, and safe, affordable housing, the Mental Wellness Center serves individuals and families impacted by mental illness.
🌐https://mentalwellnesscenter.org/
🚪The Rescue Mission in Santa Barbara
Offers family support, addiction education, relapse prevention, transitional housing, career development, and job placement to those experiencing homelessness and or addiction.
🗒️ Immigrant Legal Defense Center
Works with immigrants living in Santa Barbara to provide legal support and mental health care for young people and families going through the immigration process.
🌐https://www.sbimmigrantdefense.org/what-we-do
🧡 The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is the leading organization in the U.S. focused on crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth. They offer 24/7 confidential support through phone, text, and chat, along with educational resources and advocacy to promote safe and inclusive environments for young LGBTQ+ individuals.
📚 Book Resources
Explore faith, identity, and healing through these powerful reads:
Rest: Experiencing God's Peace in a Restless World by Siang-Yang Tan
Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: It's Impossible to Be Spiritually Mature, While Remaining Emotionally Immature
by Peter Scazzero
Reimagining your Love Story: Biblical and Psychological Practices for Healthy Relationships by Andrea Gurney
The Soul of Shame: Retelling the Stories We Believe About Ourselves by Curt Thompson
Healthy Feelings, Thriving Faith: Growing Emotionally and Spiritually Through the Enneagram by Bill and Kristi Gaultiere
8 Keys to Trauma Recovery by Babette Rothschild
Burnout by Emily & Amelia Nagoski
Richard Schwartz' Internal Family Systems Workbook
Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself by Emily Beattie
Self Compassion by Kristin Neff
Heavy Burdens – Seven Ways LGBTQ Christians Experience Harm in the Church by Bridget Eileen Rivera