Santa Barbara City College Shines Light on Mental Health Awareness Month, Joins Countywide Effort

May 04, 2026

Santa Barbara City College Shines Light on Mental Health Awareness Month, Joins Countywide Effort

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., May 4, 2026 — Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is joining the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness, county residents, businesses, organizations, and community partners in recognizing May as Mental Health Month by participating in the annual Light Up Green. The SBCC Board of Trustees recognized Mental Health Awareness Month with a resolution at their public board meeting on April 23 to formally acknowledge and build awareness.

“We are Lighting up SBCC’s Cliff, Schott, and Wake campuses with Green as a part of a county wide initiative to raise mental health awareness during the month of May,” shared SBCC Mental Health Counselor Lacey Peters, M.A. LMFT. “To further awareness, SBCC is hosting a Mental Health Awareness Event with the Active Minds Club to Destigmatize Mental Health Care on May 6th at 5:30 p.m. at SBCC West Campus BC Forum.”

The campaign joins efforts to create More Good Days Together, which is the 2026 national theme for Mental Health Month.

Throughout the month of May, landmarks, buildings, homes, and businesses across Santa

Barbara County will shine green (the official color of mental health awareness), at SBCC the Student Services Building and buildings at Wake and Schott campuses (pictured above) join the effort.

This year, more than 150 locations throughout Santa Barbara County are participating in the campaign, demonstrating countywide support for mental wellness, participating organizations include; Cottage Health, Dignity Health –Marian Regional Medical Center, CenCal Health, and Paseo Nuevo. Returning participants include the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, Santa Barbara Airport, Direct Relief, and many more community landmarks and organizations. To see a full list of local buildings lighting up, click here.

There are several events happening countywide, including SBCC’s “Combating the Stigma of Mental Health on May 6 at 5:30 p.m. at the SBCC West Campus BC Forum.Additional events include:

May 1 – Ribbon Cutting and Open House of the new Child and Family Behavioral Wellness Service Center, 1-2 p.m., 315 W Haley St, Santa Barbara
May 2 – Cottage Health Mental Health Fair
May 4 – May is Mental Health Month Open House, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., Behavioral Wellness Conference Room, 429 N San Antonio Rd, Santa Barbara
May 5 – Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors Proclamation recognizing May as Mental Health Month
May 6 – SBCC “Combating the Stigma of Mental Health” Event
May 8 – Sanctuary Centers Mental Health Awareness Month Art Show
May 8 – May is Mental Health Month Open House, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., Behavioral
Wellness Adult Conference Room, 500 W Foster Rd, Santa Maria
May 15 – May is Mental Health Month Open House, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., Behavioral Wellness Adult Conference Room, 425 W Central Ave, Lompoc
May 31 – Mental Wellness Center Peace of Mind Walk (registration fee)

EVENT DETAILS

Combating The Stigma of Mental Health

Where: SBCC’s BC Forum, West Cliff Campus, 721 Cliff Dr.

When: May 6, 5:30 p.m.

Parking: Complimentary anywhere on West Cliff Campus during the length of the event.

Combating the stigma of mental health event flyer - Wednesday, May 6th att he BC Forum on SBCC's west campus. Burritos and refreshments at 5:30 p.m. and the speaker begins at 6 p.m.