Dear Center Community,
I’m Pamuela Halliwell (she/her), Director of Behavioral Health Services at The Center, and I’m here to share some important updates and resources to support our community’s wellness as we continue celebrating Pride season and enter San Diego Pride Week!
While Pride is a time of joy where we all come together to honor our identities and uplift one another, not everyone experiences Pride the same way. For many in our LGBTQ+ community, especially our transgender and nonbinary family, this season can bring painful reminders of isolation, rejection, and fear. The political climate we are navigating can be overwhelming, with relentless attacks on our rights and dignity by the federal government. If you’re feeling exhausted, please know that you are not alone.
As the new Director of Behavioral Health Services (BHS) at The Center, I’m honored to continue our work to provide LGBTQ-affirming mental health care services to our community, alongside a team deeply committed to your wellness. I also want to share a moment of immense excitement and gratitude: Thanks to the efforts of our Advocacy and Civic Engagement team, The Center recently secured funding for BHS through the City’s Opioid Settlement Fund! This critical investment will allow us to maintain our culturally competent Substance Use Disorder (SUD) services, ensuring our community can access enhanced trauma-informed, affirming support in navigating substance use recovery and harm reduction.
At BHS, we not only support our community with substance use recovery, but also with mental health challenges. Pride season can surface deep emotional and psychological stressors, particularly for those managing mental health conditions, experiencing family rejection, dealing with past trauma, or navigating substance use. Our BHS team is here for you. We offer individual, couples, family, and group counseling tailored to the needs of LGBTQ+ people, including trans and nonbinary folks, youth and adults impacted by crime, survivors of relationship violence, and those living with HIV.
Our SUD program provides affirming prevention, harm reduction, and recovery services, from meth relapse groups to education workshops. These programs are built on the belief that everyone deserves care that honors their identity, story, and healing journey. For more information about our BHS support groups, counseling, and resources, visit our website.
Pride is a celebration, but it’s also a reminder of our ongoing fight for justice, for safety, and for wellness. Whether you are celebrating with community or spending time reflecting quietly, I want you to know that you are seen, valued, and supported. The Center is here for you with open hearts, listening ears, and healing spaces!
In community,
Pamuela Halliwell (she/her)
Director of Behavioral Health Services