Making a Difference
At The SouLuna Project Inc., our impact is rooted in connection—connection to self, to community, and to the natural world. We have created healing-centered spaces that have supported youth and adults on their wellness journeys. Through nature-based retreats, breathwork, creative expression, and affinity group circles, we offer culturally affirming practices that nurture rest, reflection, and restoration. Our growing community of collaborators, facilitators, and participants continues to affirm what we know to be true: when people are given the space to heal, they become powerful agents of change in their lives and communities.
Our Response
Creating Solutions:
The Souluna Project is dedicated to:
- Expanding youth mental health services through affinity groups and nature-based healing.
- Reducing burnout for educators, caregivers, and organizations.
- Providing inclusive, culturally responsive healing spaces.
- Strengthening organizational wellness with evidence-based workshops and training.
The Crisis
Key Statistics:
Youth Mental Health (NAMI):
- 1 in 4 youth have a diagnosed mental health condition; 28% received treatment.
- 65% feel comfortable discussing mental health with close contacts, but only 48% talk regularly with parents and 22% with friends.
- Only 34% seek mental health information from parents, 18% from friends, 8% from the internet, 7% from teachers/trusted adults, and 6% from social media.
- 1 in 5 youth experience a mental health disorder; over 50% go untreated.
Adult Mental Health (Mental Health America):
- 23% of U.S. adults (nearly 60 million) experienced mental illness in 2021-2022.
- Over 5% reported serious suicidal thoughts; 2022 saw the highest recorded suicidedeaths.
Educator Burnout:
- 44% of educators report high stress levels.
BIPOC Communities:
- Systemic barriers worsen wellness inequities.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Curious about our organization?
What is The SouLuna Project Inc.?
The SouLuna Project Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) dedicated to advancing wellness equity and healing for youth and adults through inclusive programs, nature-based experiences, and creative expression, fostering community, connection, and holistic well-being.
What is our mission?
Our mission is to advance wellness equity by increasing awareness, access, and opportunities for healing. We empower individuals and organizations through nature-based experiences, creative expression, and alternative wellness practices to cultivate resilience and belonging.
What services do we offer?
We offer healing-centered experiences for youth, adults, and organizations that address the mental health crisis with culturally grounded and alternative to therapy care. Our offerings include:
- Wellness retreats rooted in nature and community
- Affinity groups and healing circles
- Creative expression workshops (art, storytelling, movement)
- Leadership development for educators and changemakers
- Wellness experiences for schools and workplaces
How do we address mental health challenges?
We offer inclusive, culturally responsive spaces that provide accessible alternatives to conventional mental health support. With nearly 50% of youth facing untreated mental health challenges and 23% of adults living with mental illness (NAMI, Mental Health America), our work helps fill the gap with non-clinical, community-rooted healing experiences. We offer a sliding scale to support accessibility for our services.
Our services focus on healing, resilience, and creativity using nature-based retreats, community storytelling, expressive arts, mindfulness practices, and affinity circles to support emotional well-being in safe, inspiring, and affirming environments.
Our services focus on healing, resilience, and creativity using nature-based retreats, community storytelling, expressive arts, mindfulness practices, and affinity circles to support emotional well-being in safe, inspiring, and affirming environments.
How can you support The SouLuna Project?
You can help expand access to healing and wellness by donating, partnering, or volunteering with us. Every contribution helps us offer restorative spaces to individuals and communities.
How do our workplace wellness services help?
Our retreats and workshops support individual healing by regulating the nervous system and relieving the effects of chronic stress and burnout. When people feel grounded and well, they bring clarity, compassion, and resilience back to their workplaces—helping to shape healthier, more connected cultures. With 80% of employees seeking mental health support at work (NAMI), we support the individual, recognizing change starts with self first.
Who founded The SouLuna Project?
Dr. Pilar Vázquez-Vialva, an educational leader and wellness advocate with over 20 years of experience, founded the organization to address mental health challenges, burnout, and systemic inequities in schools, workplaces, and communities.