Local & Community
Actress Mädchen Amick Leads Groundbreaking Effort to Open First Mental Health Recovery Center in Palm Springs
Palm Springs may soon become home to a transformative mental health facility, thanks to actress Mädchen Amick and her nonprofit organization Don’t Mind Me. If brought to life, the center would be the first of its kind in Riverside County—offering residential mental health treatment in a region that has long lacked such resources. Known for her roles in cult classics like Twin Peaks and modern hits like Riverdale, Amick is now focusing her spotlight on mental health advocacy. The effort stems from a personal place: her son, Sylvester Alexis, battled substance abuse and was diagnosed with PTSD after witnessing a traumatic event. In response to his struggles and the lack of accessible mental health support in the Coachella Valley, Amick co-founded Don’t Mind Me with her daughter, singer-songwriter Mina Tobias, in 2021.
“What the valley is really known for is substance use disorder support,” said Amick. “But we found very few options for crisis stabilization, and almost no residential primary mental health treatment. That has to change.”
Since its founding, Don’t Mind Me has helped families access urgent care by offering crisis intervention scholarships—especially vital given the high costs and insurance challenges associated with treatment. Amick noted that many families are quoted $60,000 to $100,000 per month for care, with little to no insurance coverage.
Now, the nonprofit hopes to purchase the iconic Desert Sun newspaper building in downtown Palm Springs and convert it into a comprehensive mental health recovery center. The facility would provide residential treatment, therapy, crisis support, and community programs—all under one roof.
Mina Tobias emphasized the importance of treating the root causes of addiction. “A lot of people go through sobriety programs, but if there’s an untreated mental illness at the core, then recovery is incomplete,” she said. “Watching my brother struggle gave us the blueprint for how to support others going through the same thing.”
For the Amick family, this project is both personal and urgent. Mädchen's son continues to navigate his own recovery journey, and the family sees this center as a long-term solution for others facing similar paths.
The center is currently in the fundraising stage, with hopes to open its doors by the end of 2026. Donations can be made through the Don’t Mind Me website. For more information tune into NBC Palm Springs.
By: NBC Palm Springs
July 25, 2025
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