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If you are experiencing a crisis or need immediate assistance, please call 911, contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or go to the nearest emergency room.
United Mental Health Promoters
At Painted Brain, we create lasting, community-based solutions to mental health challenges and the impact of social injustice. Through our partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH), we are proud to host the United Mental Health Promoters (UMHP) program—connecting Los Angeles' vibrant LGBTQ+ community with trusted, peer-led mental health advocacy and care.
Our Mission
The Promoters Program aims to reduce mental health stigma throughout Los Angeles County, particularly in historically underserved cultural and linguistic communities. By increasing awareness, removing systemic barriers, and improving timely access to care, we ensure our community receives culturally and linguistically appropriate resources.
How We Serve the Community
Our Mental Health Promoters act as a vital bridge between the local community, LACDMH, and other human and social service organizations. By approaching mental health topics with a culture-specific lens and leveraging the power of lived experience, our UMHP cultural ambassadors provide meaningful, relatable wellness and prevention services designed to support you exactly where you are.
Services Provided:
Outreach & Engagement: Active community connection to break down stigma and meet people where they feel safest.
Educational Workshops: Grow with our specialized mental health and wellness workshops focused on prevention and coping tools.
Linkage & Referrals: Discover seamless connections to essential wellness supports, professional services, and local resources.
Part of a Bigger Vision
The UMHP initiative operates alongside Painted Brain's broader mission to provide comprehensive Behavioral Health, Peer Workforce training, Community Arts Programming, and Advocacy & Social Enterprise initiatives.
Find Your Pathway to Support
Ready to connect with a peer advocate or attend an upcoming wellness workshop?
Calling All Community Partners
To deepen our impact, we are seeking to partner with local community organizations that share our dedication to uplifting and supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
Why Collaborate with Painted Brain?
Through a partnership with our UMHP initiative, your organization can connect its participants to:
Educational Workshops: Peer-led mental health and wellness workshops focused on resilience and coping tools.
Seamless Linkages: Direct referrals to essential wellness supports, professional services, and local county resources.
Holistic Programming: Access to Painted Brain’s broader community network, including behavioral health resources, peer specialist workforce training, and therapeutic community arts programming.
Let’s Connect
If your organization provides services to the LGBTQ+ community in Los Angeles County and is interested in building a collaborative, stigma-free network of care, we want to hear from you.
Get in touch with our team today: umhp@paintedbrain.org
Learn more about LACDMH's Promoters Program
Project New Start
Project New Start provides up to 9 months of completely FREE mental health services for eligible adults in LA County through our peer-run, community-based approach to wellness and recovery.
The Program is designed to support adults who have been affected by mental health challenges and unfair treatment related to the War on Drugs, including experiences with the justice system or law enforcement.
100% Free Services
All services are paid for by the California Community Reinvestment Grants program
No cost to you or insurance required.
Who can join:
You must be 18 years or older
You must live in Los Angeles County
You or someone you care for has mental health challenges or has been affected been impacted by unfair treatment from the justice system or law enforcement
What We Offer
One-on-One Counseling
Meet with a Master of Social Work (MSW) intern or a trained peer specialist
Sessions are available in person or online, once a week or every other week
Please note: We do not have a psychiatrist on staff, and we do not provide crisis services or medication management
If you need a higher level of care, we can help connect you to appropriate resources
Case Management
Get personal support to help you find resources, set life goals, and connect with your community.
We partner with local organizations to make it easy for you.
We Understand You
Many of our team members have lived experience with mental health challenges and systemic injustice
We’re here to support you in feeling stronger, more confident, and in control of your journey
How to sign up:
If you are interested, you can email with: projectnewstart@paintedbrain.or
Your name
Contact
Short Summary about yourself
Please expect a 1 month wait for services.