Vida Center Grows

Immense gratitude to the Santa Barbara Independent for selecting Vida Center as one of its' Local Heroes for 2020 under Alternative Mental Health. What an honor and privilege to be among this group of people. 

To view full article please click here:

https://www.independent.com/2020/11/24/local-heroes-202

Despite our small and humble beginnings, Vida Center is growing and making a difference. To our knowledge, Vida Center has already impacted the lives of local youth, some of whom had been on the verge of suicide. We hope our work will continue to grow so that we may continue to honor our promise and commitment to those who suffer in silence and those who have ended their lives through suicide. Beyond that, Vida Center is also committed to helping our Youth and communities to access, learn and develop the tools, techniques and skills needed to Live, Succeed & Thrive. 

To donate and help us continue to help our Youth and communities please click on the green button below. Thank you for your support!

In May of 2018, like Andrew, several of his peers were also struggling with feelings of suicidality. These peers made a promise to not give up in honor of Andrew and reached out for help to a trusted adult. This promise inspired the birth of Vida Center. Andrew's parents learned of this promise and decided that despite the shame, stigma, pain and grief that deeply impacts those affected by suicide, they would not let Andrew's life and death be in vain. They made a promise and commitment to openly share Andrew's story and in doing so, they could provide some understanding and stay connected to the hundreds of friends, peers, and adults who had been impacted by Andrew's suicide. Vida Center was born to help Young people like Andrew and his peers who suffer in silence. It was born to bring mental health awareness but also to directly help and support Youth not only to live but to help them succeed and thrive in Life and contribute to the betterment of Humanity.

In Honor of #52, BFG an "Old Soul"

On 5/15/18, Andrew Hernandez, drowned himself off our local pier in Santa Barbara, CA.  Andrew was a strong, athletic young man and a great swimmer. His decision spoke to the amount of despair and turmoil he struggled with. He made a decision to end his inner pain and silent suffering by taking his own life. 

To say that he blindsided his family, friends, teachers and community would be an understatement. Andrew had not shared with anyone, even those closest to him about his inner struggles. 

In the aftermath, we learned that locally, nationally and globally, suicide rates are alarming for all age groups but most alarming are the rates amongst our Youth. 

With gratitude to the Santa Barbara Independent for running the In Memoriam for Andrew:

https://www.independent.com/2019/05/22/andrew-uriel-hernandez-2000-2018/