NAPA, CA – When visitors step onto Mentis’ newly opened wellness campus in Napa, they immediately feel a difference. It’s not the building’s impressive size – though at 12,000 square feet, it certainly dwarfs the nonprofit’s previous location. Nor is it the therapy rooms, the bright art studio, or the expansive space reserved for a future community garden.
It’s the atmosphere.
A sense of ease and warmth fills the air. The soft hum of music echoes through the front office. Sunlight spills through large windows, illuminating lush ferns and colorful canvases, a stark contrast to the cold, sterile environment often associated with traditional clinics. The space feels alive, welcoming, and above all, healing.
This new campus, which officially opened its doors last month, represents a seismic shift in how Napa provides care for individuals facing mental health challenges. The 12,000-square-foot facility is a far cry from the cramped offices and scattered spaces where Mentis, a 77-year-old mental health nonprofit, operated for years. The new campus features 10 therapy rooms, each designed with plush armchairs and names meant to inspire serenity, such as “Tranquility,” “Peaceful,” and “Clarity.” A sports court, an art studio, and the future community garden sit among towering redwoods, creating an environment designed to promote both mental and physical well-being.
“We believe healing begins before a single word is spoken,” said Charlotte Hajer, Mentis’ development director. “This space is intentional — a place where people can come in and immediately feel a sense of calm, warmth, and support.”
A Commitment to Accessibility
The expansion comes at a pivotal moment for Napa County, where demand for mental health services is at an all-time high. Mentis, which provides affordable mental health care to over 1,000 people annually, has long been a vital resource for the community. It is the only mental health provider in the area that serves uninsured individuals and one of the few accepting Medi-Cal, the public insurance relied upon by thousands of Napa residents.
In addition to therapy and treatment, Mentis offers free prevention programs, reaching another 4,000 residents each year with services that include coping skills, suicide awareness, and mental health education. The organization partners with local schools, Napa Valley College, and other community agencies to ensure that services are accessible to all age groups, from children in classrooms to older adults.
“We’ve always worked to ensure that anyone who needs mental health care can receive it, no matter their financial situation or immigration status,” Hajer explained. “We serve the community in both Spanish and English, and we never ask about someone’s immigration status. This is about accessibility and support, no matter who you are.”
Meeting a Growing Need
Mentis has weathered many challenges in recent years. When wildfires ravaged Napa County, the organization’s counselors were among the first to offer crisis support. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mentis quickly adapted, ensuring that residents had access to therapy even as physical distancing measures kept people apart.
However, as the need for mental health services grew, the organization’s previous office on Franklin Street no longer sufficed. Space was limited, and demand far outstripped availability. Waiting lists remained long, and prevention programs were scattered across borrowed spaces, leaving the organization struggling to meet the increasing demand.
“It was clear we couldn’t continue operating out of makeshift spaces,” Hajer said. “We needed a home that reflected the depth of our mission, a space where we could bring our full range of services together.”
In June 2023, Mentis secured the former Blue Oak Middle School campus at 1272 Hayes St. for $6.42 million, a significant milestone in its growth. The move was made possible by a $14 million capital campaign, which included a $4.75 million state grant and $1 million from Napa Valley Vintners. Renovations totaling $4 million transformed the former school into a modern facility designed specifically for mental health care.
A New Model for Mental Health Care
The new campus represents a shift in how mental health services are delivered in Napa. With an additional 10,000 square feet, Mentis has doubled its capacity, allowing its entire team to work under one roof for the first time. This consolidation of services allows for a more seamless integration of prevention, treatment, and case management, ensuring that clients receive the holistic support they need.
“It’s more than just a bigger space,” said Hajer. “It’s a new model of care that enables us to work more efficiently and effectively. We can meet people where they are and provide care that’s tailored to their needs.”
Despite the expansion, uncertainty looms over the nonprofit’s future. Federal funding cuts threaten the safety-net services that many of Mentis’ clients rely on, especially those on Medi-Cal. For an organization that serves some of Napa’s most vulnerable residents, the question is not just how to expand, but how to sustain the progress made in recent years.
“The need is growing, and we want to be able to keep up,” Hajer said. “But we need continued support from the community, especially as funding becomes more uncertain.”
As Mentis looks ahead, the nonprofit is committed to ensuring that its services remain accessible, inclusive, and impactful, meeting the mental health needs of Napa residents, no matter what challenges lie ahead.
The new wellness campus, a symbol of growth and resilience, provides a glimpse into a future where mental health care is not only accessible but designed to heal from the inside out.