Dear Center Community,
My name is Pamuela Halliwell (she/her), LMFT, Director of Behavioral Health Services (BHS) at The Center. September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and I am proud to invite you to our event, Rise Above the Stigma, on September 26 from 6-8pm at The Center, where BHS and community partners will teach coping skills, provide community support, and share ways to reduce suicide.
As someone at the intersection of many identities—a woman, a Black woman, a Black trans woman, and a human being—I know what it’s like to face difficulties in life. Growing up in a body that didn’t reflect who I was, while also navigating systemic poverty in a single-parent home, I encountered depression early on, and without support, I had thoughts of ending my life.
Rise Above the Stigma offers a lifeline to those navigating struggles like the ones I once faced. It creates a safe, affirming space to address the risk factors for suicide through an intersectional lens, helping to protect and uplift lives that too often are overlooked. In today’s political and social climate, hostility toward LGBTQ+ people—particularly trans and nonbinary individuals—is growing, which makes mental health support even more critical for our community.
The weight of discriminatory policies, harmful rhetoric, and everyday barriers adds even greater strain, compounding the challenges many in our community already face. But no one should carry that burden alone. Our BHS team is here to stand beside you, to remind you that healing and hope are possible, and to ensure that every member of our community has the chance not just to survive, but to thrive.
By attending Rise Above the Stigma, you can find support and resources during the event, facilitated by myself and Janel King from Urban Restoration Counseling Center in partnership with other community organizations. You will also have the chance to select your own path to follow:
- Pathway 1 – Intersectional Lens: This path focuses on risk factors that impact BIPOC trans/nonbinary community members and ways we can preserve hope.
- Pathway 2 – SOFFA: This path is for significant others, family, friends, and allies (SOFFA) who are concerned about someone in their life or who have experienced the loss of someone by suicide, with the hope of building community healing and support.
- Pathway 3 – Operation Stronghold: This path is dedicated to supporting both active military service members and retired veterans by discussing the stigma that keeps military members from seeking support and how they can overcome barriers.
After these sessions, attendees can stay for our Mental Health Fair from 7:30-8pm to talk to community partners for additional resources and support. Rise Above the Stigma is a free event open to anyone 18 and older, and you can RSVP on our website.
As we face increasing political attacks against our LGBTQ+ community and the resources that serve us, it is essential that we come together to support each other’s mental well-being. We need to create space for honest conversations about suicide, acknowledging that life can bring real challenges while breaking down the stigma around depression. Because when we’re in crisis, it’s not just about getting help but about finding hope.
We invite you to join us at The Center to help nurture that hope. In addition to our community event, BHS is also here year-round to provide therapy, support groups, and mental health resources. We are currently accepting new clients, so if you or someone you care about is struggling with suicidal thoughts, depression, or other challenges, please reach out to our BHS team at counseling@thecentersd.org.
Together, we can rise above the stigma, build community, and thrive.
In Community,
Pamuela Halliwell (She/Her)
Director of Behavioral Health Services