Mental Health Month Photovoice Gallery Viewing Uplifts Community Voices

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On Friday, May 1st, we launched our May Mental Health Month celebration with a Photovoice Gallery Viewing event. In celebration of Mental Health Month, this Photovoice gallery centered community voices, fostered connection, and created a space for reflection, healing, and learning across our system of behavioral healthcare. Hosted on the BHRS Alameda patio, the public gallery showcased Spanish and English Photovoices created by clients and community members over the course of FY 25-26, and one series from FY 24-25. The Photovoices on display included our Housing, Wellness, Health Ambassador Youth, Hispanic Heritage, and Health Ambassador Program Photovoices. In an effort to ensure our attendees could engage with each story, all Spanish Photovoices were translated to English. The intention was to create an event that honored lived experience, meaning, purpose, and belonging—reminding attendees that sharing stories not only destigmatizes behavioral health but also contributes to equity, dignity, and recovery. Upon reading all 93 photovoice stories, participants completed a viewer evaluation survey and then received a free ice cream ticket for participation. We had attendees from various backgrounds: clients, community members, county staff, including our SMC County Health Chief, Colleen Chawla, and our SMC County Executive Office, Mike Callagy.

Consultants from the RDA Consulting team, currently contracted with BHRS to support with program analysis, attended the event which provided an opportunity for them to learn about the participants and stories behind the data. Overall, we were thrilled to have over 100 people attend the event. Many participants of the Photovoice Program also came to see their photovoices on display, attendees be inspired by their own stories. See insights from event below.

Thank you to all of you who were able to join us for this event! Be sure to join us for our next Photovoice Pop-Up booth at the Pride 2026 Health Equity Initiative event!  

Written by Nica Kelleher, BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity

Congratulations to our 2026 Tony Hoffman Award Recipients!

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Each May during Mental Health Month, San Mateo County Health presents the Tony Hoffman Community Mental Health Services Award to recognize individuals and organizations that have made an extraordinary difference in the lives of people with mental health challenges and the communities they live in.

This year’s recipients reflect the spirit of the award through their leadership, advocacy, innovation, compassion, and commitment to reducing stigma and strengthening mental health support across San Mateo County.

Gil Perez is a Personal Counselor at College of San Mateo whose leadership has helped expand flexible, culturally responsive mental health services for students and foster a stronger campus culture of care, safety, and belonging.

Nicoletta “Nica” Kelleher and the BHRS Parent Project are being recognized for the program’s longstanding impact supporting parents and caregivers with tools, connection, and hope. Nica, who is part of the BHRS ODE team, began with the Parent Project as a high school volunteer, and her journey to program coordinator reflects the Parent Project’s lasting role in building community leadership.

Patricia Baker has helped transform behavioral health crisis response in Redwood City through her compassionate work on the Community Wellness and Crisis Response Team, providing on-scene assessment, de-escalation, and connection to care.

Kira Liess has supported the NAMI San Mateo County community for 15 years as a peer educator, group co-host, volunteer, and Peer Specialist, offering encouragement, lived experience, and hope to others in recovery.

Caltrain is being honored for its commitment to rail safety and suicide prevention, including efforts to promote education, reduce stigma, strengthen partnerships, and improve public messaging around suicide prevention.

Sylvia Tang, a member of the BHRS ODE team and Co-Chair of the Suicide Prevention Committee, is recognized for her steady leadership, thoughtful collaboration, and commitment to centering lived experience in suicide prevention efforts.

Dr. Gabriela “Gaby” Perez is a longtime BHRS leader, service provider, BHRS Youth Team member, and Latino Collaborative Co-Chair whose trauma-informed, culturally responsive work has strengthened care for youth, families, Spanish-speaking and immigrant communities, and cross-system partners.

Michelle Ye, Co-Founder of Project EDSA, is recognized for her youth leadership in eating disorder prevention, awareness, and peer support, including helping grow a student-led nonprofit that reaches schools locally and globally.

Together, these honorees remind us that mental health is strengthened through compassion, connection, advocacy, and action. San Mateo County Health is proud to recognize their meaningful contributions during Mental Health Month.

To learn more about the San Mateo County Behavioral Health Commission visit https://www.smchealth.org/behavioral-health-commission.

FREE LGBTQ+ Trainings from the Pride Center!

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Just in time for Pride season, the San Mateo County Pride Center is thrilled to offer you FREE trainings! These rare opportunities are for everyone to learn about our beautiful, diverse LGBTQ+ community in a safe and supportive environment. Come prepared to learn, have fun, and be able to ask questions in a welcoming environment.

No matter where you are on the learning spectrum, we’re offering a workshop to meet you where you’re at! Learn about the terms, the issues that impact us most, and discover the myriads of ways you can be an active partner in our fight for equity.

The Pride Center only offers trainings free and community-wide a few times a year, so don’t miss out. Register soon!

This Pride Season, we are hosting:

  • Preparing for Pride Series (workshops can be attended individually)
  • Becoming Aware of Our Assumptions, Wed, May 13
  • SOGIE/LGBTQ+ 101, Wed, May 27
  • Trans 101, Wed, June 10
  • Putting Allyship Into Action, Wed, June 24
  • Pronouns 101, Mon, June 8

For more details please visit https://sanmateopride.org/events/.

To register for part of or all of the Preparing for Pride training series, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/prepforpride

To register for Pronouns 101, contact Ishani Dugar (see below).

For more information or if you have questions, contact Ishani Dugar (they/xe) at ishani.dugar@sanmateopride.org, or 650-554-1234 (text ok). 

We hope to see you there! 

5/30- Nourishing Wellness: A Community Conversation on Eating Disorders

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Dear Community Members,

The BHRS Health Ambassador Program (HAP)  and the Office of Supervisor Ray Mueller warmly invite you to attend:

Nourishing Wellness: A Community Conversation on Eating Disorders
Saturday, May 30, 2026
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Regional Operations Center
501 Winslow St, Redwood City, CA 94063

This free community event aims to increase awareness and understanding of eating disorders and disordered eating. Through education, lived experience, and behavioral health expertise, the presentation will help reduce stigma, encourage early support, and connect community members to available resources.

The presentation will be conducted in Spanish with English interpretation available.

We welcome community members, families, youth, providers, and anyone interested in learning more about eating disorders and supporting wellness in our communities.

To register, please use the QR code on the flyer or contact:

  • Maria Martinez: 650-586-2719
  • Charo Martinez: 650-542-1447

We hope you can join us for this important conversation focused on healing, awareness, and community connection.

EDO_Presentation_05.30Download

BHRS Director’s Newsletter – May 2026

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Please see the latest issue of the Director’s Newsletter from BHRS Director, Dr. Jei Africa! 

Topics include:  

  • May is Mental Health Month!
  • Mental Health Equity and Advocacy Roundtable: A Conference Reflection
  • BHRS Leadership Training: Trauma-Informed Leadership in Action
  • Prop. 1 Three Year Integrated Plan: A Milestone in Our 5-Year Transformation Journey Roadmap
  • Upcoming Events and More News

Find past issues here. Visit the BHRS website. 

5/26- Understanding Trauma in the Latiné Community

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Hello,

Please see this training opportunity provided by the Latino/a/x Collaborative (LC) in honor of May Mental Health Month. See information below. Thank you:

Latino/a/x Collaborative Training: “Understanding Trauma in the Latiné Community” provided by Lorena Avitea, LCSW

  • Learn how trauma impacts Latiné communities, including immigration experiences and barriers to care, and explore culturally responsive, equity-centered resources
  • Tuesday, May 26, 2026 3:30-5:00 PM (During the monthly LC Meeting)
  • This training will be provided in Spanish with English interpretation
  • For more information: Gaby Perez (Gaperez@smcgov.org) & Pati Ramirez (Patti@alasdreams.com)

2026 May Mental Health Month: Mental Health Is Ours

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Hello,  

This 2026 Mental Health Month theme is “Mental Health Is Ours” This theme highlights that mental health belongs to all of us. It is shaped by families, communities, relationships, culture, and lived experience. This theme invites everyone to take ownership of their well-being; while also recognizing the shared responsibility we have to support one another. 

Join us in commemorating Mental Health Month whether it’s attending a free mental health related event throughout the month, getting involved through advocacy, or finding support for yourself and others.  

Some events to look forward to this May:  

💚 Fri, 5/1- Photovoice Gallery Viewing @ 2000 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo 

💚 Tues, 5/5- Mental Health Month Kick Off @ allcove, San Mateo 

💚 Sat, 5/9- Move 4 Mind 5K @ Seal Point Park, San Mateo 

💚 Wed, 5/27- Mental Health Month Open Mic @ Café Zoë, Menlo Park 

Full list of events at www.smchealth.org/attend-events. 

About Mental Health Month: 

Each May, San Mateo County joins the state and nation in celebrating Mental Health Month (MHM). This month is an opportunity to increase awareness and reduce stigma by inspiring action and sparking meaningful conversation around mental health and substance use conditions. Each year we partner with local agencies and community members to promote events free and open to the public throughout the county.    

5/26 – Comprendiendo el Trauma en la Comunidad Latiné | Understanding Trauma in the Latiné Community

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Hola,

Aprenda cómo el trauma impacta a las comunidades latiné, incluyendo experiencias relacionadas con la inmigración y las barreras para acceder a servicios, y explore recursos culturalmente sensibles y centrados en la equidad.

Presentadora invitada: Lorena Avitea, LCSW
Fecha: Martez, 5/26/26
Tiempo: 3:30PM-5PM (Durante la reunión mensual de Latino/a/x Collaborative)

Este entrenamiento se ofrecerá en español con interpretación al inglés

Más información: Gaby Perez (Gaperez@smcgov.org) | Pati Ramirez (Patti@alasdreams.com)

Hello,

Learn how trauma impacts Latiné communities, including immigration experiences and barriers to care, and explore culturally responsive, equity-centered resources.

Guest Presenter: Lorena Avitea, LCSW
Date: Tues, 5/26/26
Time: 3:30PM-5PM (During the monthly Latino/a/x Collaborative Meeting)

This training will be provided in Spanish with English interpretation.

More information: Gaby Perez (Gaperez@smcgov.org) | Pati Ramirez (Patti@alasdreams.com)

5/21 – Providing Therapy to Our Native & Indigenous Communities

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Hello,

Join us for an informative workshop on how to support Mayan Communities, what a focus on understand their unique challenges, barriers to behavioral health access, and the factors that influence their well-being.

Workshop will be led by Hildeberto Ruiz-Jarquin. Speakers will be Maestra Lydia Candila Chan and Lazaro Lorenzo.

RSVP at this link or use QR code from flyer: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CSIPNIPI

Be Sensitive, Be Brave: Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Training for the Black Community -Interest Form

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BACHAC in partnership with Community Connections Psychological Associates, Inc. and San Mateo County Health – Behavioral Health & Recovery Services are offering, Be Sensitive, Be Brave: Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Training for the Black Community. 

Join a powerful, culturally-infused training series designed for the Black/African American community in San Mateo County. This FREE workshop equips participants with tools to recognize signs of emotional distress, have courageous conversations about suicide, connect individuals to support, and build resilience within our communities.

Participants will also have the opportunity to share their voice through a follow-up focus group to help shape a curriculum that truly reflects and serves the Black community. Trainings will be held in May 2026 (in-person and virtual options available), and participants will receive a $25 Amazon gift card, with refreshments provided for in-person sessions.

High school students and adults can sign up to express their interest in creating a more responsive, stigma-free approach to mental health care. Trainings will be held in May.  

BSBB for Black African American Flier Interest formDownload
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