Nurturing Our Well-Being Event Comes to Dixon Health & Wellness Center
San Antonio (May 19, 2025) – May is Mental Health Awareness Month and to commemorate this month, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) hosted the inaugural Nurturing Our Well-Being: A Celebration of Mental Health held at its Dixon Health & Wellness Center on Saturday, May 17.
The free community event featured several activities that focused on well-being and self-care, such as breathing exercises, drum circles, chair yoga, and baila class. Nearly 250 families and individuals attended the event to access the resources and information provided by MHM and partners such as River City Produce, SA Threads, Be SMART, Beyond 21, and Care Now.
“Whether you are a mental health professional, a caregiver, someone with lived experience, or an ally, you play a vital role in our community journey for improved mental health,” said Xochy Hurtado, Chief Operating Officer at MHM. “Nurturing Our Well-Being: A Celebration of Mental Health is about more than raising awareness it’s also about taking action, having compassion, and creating safe spaces for healing and connection and nurturing the well-being of individuals and the community.”
Mental health illness affects millions of Americans every day. 1 in 5 adults experience mental health illness each year and 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental health. 1 in 6 U.S. youth deal with mental health disorders. There are several types of mental health conditions that affect people differently, such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and more.
“My heart is full of gratitude,” said Celina Gonzalez, Behavioral Health Supervisor at MHM. “It was amazing to see all the team members from throughout the organization come together to play a role in Nurturing Our Well-Being. The response that we had from the Dixon Health & Wellness Center community showed how much mental health services are wanted and needed.”
The event kicked off with a short program featuring remarks from Hurtado, Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert (Precinct 4) and City Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran (District 3). Booths and tables were spread across the walking trail at the Dixon Health & Wellness Center where attendees were able to visit and receive information and resources for improving their mental health. River City Produce was on-site providing $1,500 in free, fresh produce to 120 families.
“I’m proud to stand with our community in recognizing that mental health is essential to overall health,” said Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran (District 3). “I’m grateful to Methodist Healthcare Ministries and all our partners for helping us create a space of connection, support, and hope. Let’s keep the conversation going—because no one should face mental health challenges alone.”
MHM’s Behavioral Health Department provides bilingual services at its San Antonio based clinics; Wesley Health & Wellness Center and Dixon Health & Wellness Center, including parts of its 74-county service area. Services include one-to-one counseling, group counseling, educational case management, resource support, and more.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Dixon Health & Wellness Center moved to its current location in 2018 after over $3M was invested to purchase and transform the former Southeast Baptist Hospital. The center features: a state-of-the-art dental suite offering 24 dental chairs and oral surgery; physical therapy offered in partnership with The University of the Incarnate Word School of Physical Therapy; a beautiful courtyard with a walking trail and benches, providing community members and clinic staff alike a safe place to exercise and relax; and a chapel where people can find a quiet place to meditate and pray. The Dixon Health & Wellness Center marks the culmination of years’ work by Methodist Healthcare Ministries working with incredible partners and stakeholders to deliver on a commitment to serve the community on the Eastside that has been often underserved and overlooked by others.
Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert (Precinct 4) remarked “Fourteen years ago, in June of 2011, Southeast Baptist Hospital closed. For many of us in Precinct 4, that closure didn’t just take away a building—it took away access, dignity, and a sense of care that our communities had long been denied. It was a moment that could have deepened despair. But I made a promise that Southeast Baptist would not become an eye sore and with the partnership of Methodist Healthcare Ministries, I am proud to say I fulfilled that promise.” MHM’s mission is “Serving Humanity to Honor God” and events such as Nurturing Our Well-Being further its efforts to provide the community with accessible resources that aim to lift people up in mind, body, and spirit.
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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of health care by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals and families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.
