Visualizing Wellness: Our values

Why Mental Wellness?

Mental wellness became a subject of immediate concern in my life when my mother experienced a mental health challenge that shook the very foundation of our family structure.  The challenge, conversations, disbelief, anger, tears, fears, love and surprises seem to be a never ending roller coaster of frightening twists and turns, steep ups and extended downs.

Some of us understood her challenges, while others did not. I remember many moments  of disbelief and even more days of 24/7 prayer. I remember family disagreements that led to siblings not speaking to each other or our mother. I further recall  the day I had to sign my mother up for treatment and how I struggled to believe the reality of what was actually happening. The reality of her episodic grandiose behaviors had now immensely impacted her freedom. But with a little grace, understanding and self-checks we were able to make it through her first episode. I happened to be at the end of my master's degree program in Counseling Psychology,Studying the DSM IV when it all unfolded.

Never would I have imagined a day where I had to talk my mother,  a devout Christian woman with 30 years of helping others as a registered nurse, into getting treatment for something she would not come to terms with. The greatest moment that happened in it all was our ability to communicate and an opportunity for me to  validate her thoughts and feelings.  I remember the look on her face that very day. It was a sigh of relief that someone understood her. Although it happened over 20 years ago it still saddens my heart and brings me to tears to think of what my mother struggled with internally and how she kept it to herself for so many years.

This experience further endeared me to understanding mental illness, health and wellness and how I can help my family  and others understand they are not alone, there is help and how to access help.

It also prompted me to evaluate and grow my own mental wellness practices. As well as those of organizations that serve youth and their families. 

The Growth Center I, Inc. was born from a passion to help others understand mental health, wellness and illness. Understanding that mental health IS  health, changes perceptions and connects ALL involved to the proper resources to grow and live a happy healthy life. My life experiences and that of many of my  loved ones, students and acquaintances have also inspired the movement to dispel the myth on various levels.

With more than 25 years of engaging youth, young adults, college students, unhoused, families, educators and mental health professionals in practices that manage mental health,  my  research and experiences support the TGC mission to educate individuals and communities across the world starting in the greater Sacramento area.

As an educator, I have observed many experiences of those who suffer in silence due to stigma, lack of timely help, socioeconomic barriers, financial insecurities, healthcare disparities, awareness and education.

Covid increased already challenging circumstances in school cases of depression, anxiety and stress-related mental health challenges. Our communities, schools and homes changed forever. The rising levels of anxiety, depression and stress left many children struggling to return to the life they knew before COVID within a school setting and at home.

Teachers and parents also struggled to find a sense of normalcy. Silent cries became a visible crisis at a lightning speed, demanding support that could not adequately be met by schools, health care providers and community support agencies' systemic approach to addressing mental health crises. Mental health providers were and still are impacted by the increase so much so that it is taking months for many to receive initial face to face treatment. BIPOC populations were already at a disadvantage. The increase in healthcare disparities, traumas and juvenile incarceration only deepened and widened the crisis in our community.

The Growth Center supports trauma informed approaches, coping support systems, self -advocacy, self-preservation and self  discipline.

We are passionate about the wellness of our communities and growth of everyone within our villages, including  unhoused, veterans, parents, grandparents, teachers, youth, families, schools and mental wellness support providers.

Clara Brown

Chief Executive Officer/Founder

M.S. Counseling Psychology

School Counselor

Life Coach (Cognitive Coaching)

Mental Wellness Coach

Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor

Certified Suicide Prevention Specialist

Certified First Aid Crisis Interventionist

Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician