During Mental Health Awareness Month, Discovery Counseling Center of the San Ramon Valley was honored to be featured in the Town of Danville’s Town Talks with the Mayor series. In this thoughtful and timely conversation, Danville Mayor Newell Arnerich sat down with Executive Director Sumita Bhandari to discuss the importance of mental health and its impact on the strength and well-being of the broader community.
The conversation highlighted Discovery Counseling Center’s long-standing commitment to supporting individuals and families throughout the San Ramon Valley. Since 1971, Discovery Counseling Center has provided compassionate, accessible, and affordable mental health services for children, teens, adults, seniors, couples, and families. Today, the organization continues to play a vital role in helping community members navigate life’s challenges through counseling, support groups, and school-based mental health programs.
During the interview, Sumita shared the history of Discovery Counseling Center and the organization’s mission to ensure mental health care is available to everyone who needs it. The discussion explored the many ways Discovery supports the community, including counseling services for students, support programs for seniors and caregivers, and therapeutic groups designed to foster healing, connection, and resilience.
Mayor Arnerich and Sumita also discussed how mental health directly shapes a healthy, connected community. They emphasized the importance of reducing stigma around mental health care and making support services easier to access for residents across the San Ramon Valley.
A key focus of the conversation was the Town of Danville’s partnership with Discovery Counseling Center, which helps provide residents access to a comprehensive group therapy program tailored to local mental health needs. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to supporting emotional wellness and strengthening community connections through compassionate care.
One particularly meaningful takeaway from the discussion was the idea of being “excited about mental health.” As Sumita explained, prioritizing mental health means recognizing that strong communities begin with the well-being of the people who live in them. When individuals feel supported, connected, and cared for, entire communities become healthier and more resilient.
Discovery Counseling Center is deeply grateful to the Town of Danville and Mayor Newell Arnerich for helping elevate conversations around mental health awareness and for continuing to support programs that make a meaningful difference in the lives of local residents.
We invite you to watch the full conversation and learn more about how Discovery Counseling Center continues to support students, families, seniors, and community members throughout the San Ramon Valley.
Watch the full interview here:
https://youtu.be/eJAWAVd7zHA?si=KoCY4ZQvdu0YC9aK