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About Us

Mental health issues are often misconstrued. As if the person suffering could easily change or isn’t trying hard enough. And family and friends often don't know how to cope or where to turn.

SafeSpace empowers young people to change the conversation around mental health issues. We offer a new voice, the voice of young people who are disproportionately affected by mental illnesses but are largely unheard in discussions regarding potential solutions. Our outreach efforts support these young people as they speak out to create communities of support, brainstorm solutions to ease anxiety, and ultimately improve the lives of all young people.

Our Mission: No one should struggle in silence. By empowering youth to engage openly with their local schools, communities and peers, we promote mental wellness, reduce stigma, and develop solutions to enhance the lives of all young people.

SafeSpace Board

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Susan Gordon Bird

Co-Founder

"I saw the suffering of several family members and young friends who at a time in their lives when everything should have been possible, just sat on the sidelines with depression."

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Liesl Pike Moldow

Co-Founder

“I experienced depression as a 15-year-old so I know what it’s like to feel that sadness that doesn’t go away —the dark emptiness that something is wrong.”

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Annie Kim

Managing Director

"Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start."
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Chris Tanti

Founding Advisor

“I've seen the looks of hopelessness on the faces of youth at risk of harm.  They don’t have the energy to do anything about it. They feel shame, guilt, anger, and even rage.”

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Stephanie Brown, PhD

Board Member, Mental Health Addiction

"Stephanie Brown, Ph.D. is a pioneering theorist, clinician, researcher, author, teacher and consultant in the addiction field. As a psychologist, she directs the Addictions Institute, Menlo Park, California, an outpatient psychotherapy clinic."

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Brad Robertson

Director of Finance

“I have family experience with drug addiction, suicide and other mental health issues such as bi-polar disorder.”

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John Bautista

Board Member, Legal

“John Bautista, a member of Orrick's Board of Directors and Technology Companies Group, leads Orrick's international Technology Companies practice connecting Silicon Valley with Europe and Asia. Orrick is recognized for its work in the community and pro bono efforts and John is particularly interested in youth mental health issue. SafeSpace is a pro bono client of Orrick.”

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Dina Jackson

Director of Technology

“After experiencing depression as a teen and seeing the suffering of friends and family, I want be part of the solution...ensure teens feel heard, families feel supported and create an community of hope.”

Lesley-Martin

Lesley Martin

Board Member, Director of Special Projects

Lesley started as a volunteer developing the SafeSpace Youth Board, then she became the first Managing Director who played a major role in putting SafeSpace on the map. She retired in February 2020 and moved to the Board working on special projects.

Our Partners

Thoughtful coordination of services is critical.

At SafeSpace, we believe that youth benefit greatly from a cohesive continuum of care that spans from early intervention and prevention to acute inpatient services. While more than $120 billion is spent annually on mental health disorders, much of this care is disjointed and not focused on early intervention and prevention or just not accessible. For this reason, we are teaming up with partners to assist us in providing quality clinical care.

We believe these alliances will ensure that any clients who walk through our door will have access to the appropriate level of care.

Note

"Our affiliate, Bay Area Clinical Associates (BACA) offers free needs assesment, individul therapy and intensive outpatient therapies. BACA takes a variety of insurance plans.

*Offers therapeutic programs that are suitable for the community it serves.

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Our Partner Qualifications

SafeSpace chooses its clinical partners and non-clinical partners carefully. We require that they both have a focus on youth between the ages of 12 to 26 and the ability to provide programs for all socio-economic backgrounds, and offer hours of operation that are convenient for the community they serve. Here are some other specific requirements:

If you’re interested in becoming a SafeSpace partner, reach out to us.

Non-Clinical Partners

  • A minimum of three years of experience working with teens and young adults
  • Will offer best practices in its category, and several communication options to meet the needs of the age group it serves. i.e. (text, email, phone, a bi-lingual option)

Clinical Partners

  • A sliding scale payment option and variety of insurance options.
  • Provide evidence-based therapy, and option of off-site therapy, and emergency service option
  • Mandates continual education programs for its employees to keep them up to date on scientific advances.
  • Works with SafeSpace to ensure the clinical environment is warm and friendly·    Offers therapeutic programs that are suitable for the community it serves.
  • Offers a bilingual option based on the needs of the community.
  • Has a long-term vision to work with SafeSpace to service multiple communities throughout the U.S., and expand services beyond the current moderate continuum of care.

Our Affliations

We believe these alliances will ensure that any clients who walk through our door will have access to the appropriate level of care.

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As a SafeSpace Partner, Bay Area Clinical Associates provides multidisciplinary clinicians — psychiatrists (MDs), psychologists, therapists and social workers — who have extensive expertise in adolescence health and mental health. It will offer a one-stop shop for all mental health needs that lead to improved care. Currently there are multiple therapists, offering the following programs: individual, family and group therapies for youth and parents, parenting support, evaluation and management of medication. Bay Area Clinical Associates is currently working to offer in-network services with private insurance and Medi-Cal programs.

Our partner offers an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for teens (12 to 17 years old) and young adults (18 to 26) experiencing mental health issues but does not require inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. The IOP is recommended for teens who are unable to go to school, following hospitalization discharge, or if a child/teen/young adult is severely depressed, anxious or has behavioral issues that cannot be treated with just outpatient clinical services. An IOP usually runs three hours per day, 3 or 4 days per week of treatment in a therapeutic setting. Some of the activities offered in an IOP are applied to: coping, relationship, and healthy living skills, along with expressive art, and multi-family groups.

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PrairieCare is a Minneapolis, Minnesota-based leader in psychiatric services at all levels of care. The organization operates clinics and pediatric psychiatric hospitals, and plans to open a hospital on the Peninsula, specifically for youth. It offers a wide range of clinical services for children.

Need to talk? »

Connect now to
SafeSpace Support Line

Need to talk? »

Connect now to
SafeSpace Support Line