For more than 45 years, Transitions Mental Health Association has provided professional support and a nurturing entry point for individuals with mental health illnesses transitioning back into society.
Started in San Luis Obispo County in 1979, the initial effort of emergency care and case management was expanding in the mid-1980s to offer employment options for clients, including working at local gardening supply stores, large scale nurseries and customer service retail services.
Anna Wiens, Growing Grounds Enterprises program manager, spoke about the impact of the unique services offered to clients of Transitions Mental Health Association at the farm near the Santa Maria Airport.
Contributed, Sergio Ruiz
“This is a place where people who are trying to either get back on their feet, or enter the workforce the first time, can come and get part-time employment,” said Sterling Snow, Program Supervisor for Growing Ground Farms. “We work with them, and we meet them wherever there are in their mental health journey.”
Wiens said because the farm, and many of the services offered by THMA were developed during a transition period of mental health treatment in California, the agency has been on the leading edge of developing state standards and combating a societal stigma of mental illness and treatment.
“In the early 80’s, people were coming out of mental institutions and state hospitals, that’s how mental illness was really treated 40 years ago,” said Wiens. “Those individuals needed opportunities to reintegrate into society.
TEMA created the pathway to help people get back to work through employment at local farms and retail shops, combining both therapeutic horticulture and vocational training.
Growing Grounds Farm in Santa Maria, a program of Transitions-Mental Health Association, is a unique local source for pesticide-free produce, flowers and fruit or vegetable plants.
Contributed, Sergio Ruiz
Each year, according to Wiens, Growing Grounds provides services to 135 individuals, with 89% experiencing zero visits to the psychiatric health facility and a zero percent recidivism rate among participants referred by SLO County Behavioral Health Court.
According to TEMA client surveys, 91%, increased their housing stability and 83% of clients said they’re more hopeful about the future and feel more purpose and meaning in life.
Industry studies have also shown that employment has a positive impact on mental-health and the well-being for people with serious mental disorders. Working at transitional employers improves participants self-esteem, symptom control, quality of life, social relationships, and cultivates community integration without harmful side effects.
“Not only is Growing Grounds offering that place for people to start, but we’re providing a community for people,” Wiens said. “You’ll see as you walk around, people working alongside each other, people laughing, people having a good time.”
She added that a positive work experience that is even more impactful for their clients, because mental illness can be such an isolating disease.
The work, and treatment services at Growing Grounds are supported by grants, professional partnerships with local farms and businesses, and sales at their local locations.
Plant sales in Santa Maria are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the farm stand is open on Thursday from noon to 3 pm. Follow their Facebook page, to see updates about what is available for purchase and to find additional information on events and promotions.
This column was produced in partnership with the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce. See the spotlight video, and learn more about the work of the Chamber advocating for businesses and economic growth in the Santa Maria Valley on their website, www.santamaria.com.