The Hoag young adult mental health program expanded from Irvine to Newport Beach this month. The first Newport Beach cohort started treatment on Monday, March 25, at the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living, program clinical manager Dave Cook said.
Since the young adult program started in Irvine three years ago, it has helped about 125 people.
Cook said there are numerous substance use programs in the area, but not a lot of outpatient programs that focus on mental health.
“Being able to reach more young adults at this awesome stage of life and making sure their quality of life is improving, that’s a really great feeling,” said Cook, a licensed marriage and family therapist with a master’s degree in clinical psychology. “We’re also able to offer scholarships for young adults moving forward, with scholarship funds through the Hoag Foundation for young adults who may not have insurance or access to funds.”