May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to shed light on the importance of mental well-being and to celebrate efforts that support recovery and personal growth. One such effort is the Recovering Together Cafés, a series of peer-led, recovery-focused gatherings available for parents in Pierce, Polk, or St. Croix Counties. These cafés offer a safe space to share challenges and triumphs, promote wellness and growth through meaningful conversation, and build community support.
About the Recovering Together Cafés
Since April 2023, the Recovering Together Café has been held monthly at the St. Croix County Services Center in partnership with the Family Resource Center. These meetings welcome anyone on a journey of recovery—whether it involves overcoming substance use, addressing mental health challenges, coping with grief or loss, or healing from trauma. Each session includes a free meal and offers complimentary childcare for children aged 5 and under to help remove barriers for those seeking support.
Participants are required to register in advance. Learn more about registration details and upcoming cafés.
Focusing on Whole-Person Wellness Through Vitality Domains
At the heart of these cafés is a focus on six domains of whole-person wellness. Each session features small group discussions that explore questions related to one of the following domains. Below you will find a detailed description of each of the 6 domains and examples of the questions used during the cafés. Consider how the domains relate to your mental health and whole-person wellness!
Environmental
How does your environment affect your mental health? Environmental vitality is about how our surroundings influence our well-being. Questions from this domain focus on our physical environments and topics such as decluttering our spaces and where we like to spend our time.
Ask yourself: “Where is your safe space, and why?”
Financial
How are your finances impacted by your mental health? Financial vitality is about feeling secure in your ability to meet your needs in the material world. Questions from this domain focus on saving, planning, and our attitudes about money.
Ask yourself: “How has your financial wellness changed in recovery?”
Mental & Emotional
How are mental and emotional health related to each other in your life experiences? Mental and emotional vitality refers to the health and well-being of your mind. Questions from this domain focus on therapy, relaxation, emotions, goals, and our thirst for knowledge.
Ask yourself: “How does prioritizing your mental and emotional health build resiliency?”
Physical
How does physical activity affect your mental health? Physical vitality refers to the health and well-being of your body. Questions in this domain focus on how we want our bodies to feel and our overall attitudes toward nutrition, sleep, exercise, and mindfulness.
Ask yourself: “How do you prioritize your physical health?”
Spiritual
How can spirituality contribute to your mental health? Spiritual vitality is about feeling fully alive and filled with positive energy. Questions in this domain focus on cultivating spiritual virtues such as kindness, creativity, hope, and love. For some, this includes religious or spiritual practices; for others, it may include creativity or connecting with nature.
Ask yourself: “What does spirituality mean to you?”
Social
How does your mental state affect your relationships? Social vitality is about your support system and the joy that friends and family bring to your life. Questions in this domain focus on nurturing relationships, building community, and improving social connections.
Ask yourself: “How has recovery changed your relationships?”
Each domain is interconnected and plays a significant role in our overall mental health. By engaging in thoughtful conversation around these topics, participants gain insights into how different aspects of life contribute to their recovery and well-being.
“Recovering Together Cafés are more than just meetings—they’re safe spaces where people can be seen, heard, and supported. Whether you’re a parent navigating recovery or a family member walking alongside someone who is, these gatherings offer a chance to connect with others who truly understand. It’s about building community, embracing change, and reminding each other that healing happens together.”
— Krysta Kahveci – St. Croix County Social Worker
Want to learn more about Recovering Together Cafés? Watch our interview with River Channel.