Originally published in the Napa Valley Register on June 21st, 2024
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Mentis, a leader in mental health and one of the oldest nonprofits in Napa County, announced that Kaiser Permanente has made a $250,000 commitment toward Mentis’ plans for a new, centralized mental health and wellness campus in Napa.
“Kaiser Permanente has been a vital partner in Mentis’ work to empower and increase access to mental health care for everyone who lives and works in Napa County,” said Rob Weiss, executive director of Mentis.
“They are deeply committed to helping local residents thrive, and we are honored that they have chosen to invest in our innovative Mental Wellness Campus, as a way to make a lasting positive impact on well-being for Napans of all ages and backgrounds.”
The proposed campus, which Blue Oak Middle School formerly occupied, is located at 1272 Hayes St. in Napa. With 13,000 square feet of space — over 10,000 more square feet than the current Mentis headquarters at 709 Franklin St. — it stands to consolidate the Mentis staff, expand programming for people of all ages, offer youth-focused art and wellness spaces, and ultimately serve as a hub for mental health resources, from prevention programs to mental health treatment, according to a news release.
With its $250,000 investment, Kaiser Permanente will name the outdoor sports court, which will allow Mentis to provide innovative programming that improves both physical and mental well-being, the statement said.
“Kaiser Permanente is deeply committed to the mental health and wellness of our community,” said Darryl Curry, senior vice president and area manager for Kaiser Permanente Napa Solano. “We’re proud to support the forthcoming Mentis Wellness Campus and increase access to vital prevention and treatment services for our community, and especially for those who experience barriers to mental health care.”
“Thanks to this generous gift from Kaiser Permanente, a significant investment by the Napa Valley Vintners, a sizeable grant from the state of California, and a few other notable donors, funding for the new mental wellness campus is well underway,” said the release.
Mentis will continue fundraising this year to meet the total project amount of $14 million and ensure the doors to the new space can open in early 2025.
For more information, visit mentisnapa.org and inthecommunity-ncal.kaiserpermanente.org.