4Roots Youth Wellness Center
The 4Roots Youth Wellness Center is our community-based wellness center where young people in the local community around Truckee, California, can receive support to achieve emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and physical well-being. The center is named after our innovative, science-based 4Roots method for helping young people learn, heal, and thrive because we interweave this method through every aspect of the center’s services and experiences.
The center offers a welcoming and easily accessible sanctuary for personal development and stress management where young people can mindfully decompress, connect with peers in group settings, create art, read, do homework, receive after-school tutoring, and take classes.
Students at Truckee High School often stop by to grab a healthy snack, play games, have fun, and be independent.
Through customized programming, we meet each and every young person where they are on their unique journey of personal development and holistic wellness — regardless of where they come from, their life experiences, or their physical abilities.
Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists (CMPSS) work side by side with youths to support them in overcoming unhealthy habits. Young people are able to access harm reduction awareness and education on substance use, utilizing a variety of recovery strategies, and holistic healing and personal development practices.
As part of our commitment to advocating for holistic wellness for everyone, families and educators of youth are also encouraged to access the center to experience a nonjudgmental healing space where they can work on their personal development and holistic wellness.
4Roots Wellness Center Programs
Connect Groups, which are weekly support groups where young people can stop by to effectively navigate stress, connect with peers, and celebrate their personal growth together — in all shapes and forms. We offer these groups at our 4Roots Youth Wellness Center and in public schools.
Mindful check-ins, where young people can drop in to experience empathetic group connection and tools to navigate their emotions. They learn to take deep, whole-body breaths and are supported in being honest and open with themselves about what they’re experiencing. Every member of the group responds with hands over their hearts as they breathe deeply and express solidarity with everyone’s experiences.
Activities to build connection and community through games and walks in nature — with breaks to eat nourishing food and share experiences.
One-on-one support with Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists and trained wellness educators who serve as direct support client advocates, guides, and compasses to existing services and supports.
Customized retreats for young people, families, and educators — including programs that educators can adopt in schools.
Personalized support opportunities for young people and families who use the center and surrounding nature to address substance use. Young people can get the critical support they need in their own communities without interrupting their school and home lives. This support is customized to individual needs, using the Mindfulness-Based Substance Use Treatment (MBSAT) program.
The Need for Youth Mental Health Services
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75%
Of all lifetime mental illness develops by age 24
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< 50%
Of 12- to 25-year-olds who reported a major depressive episode within the previous year received treatment
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10.37%
Of 12- to 17-year-olds in California report using drugs in the last month
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#2
Cause of death for people between the ages of 10 and 24 is suicide
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1-in-8
Teenagers abusing an illicit substance in the last year