Mental Wellness Screening event for Chinese seniors a success

imageOn July 26th 2016 the Chinese Health Initiative (CHI), of the Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE), coordinated a free Mental Wellness Screening event for 25 seniors of Self Help for the Elderly, a senior center dedicated to provide a place and resources of monolingual Chinese residents of San Mateo County.

ODE’s Chinese Outreach Worker, along with CHI members, Chinese-speaking community volunteers, and BHRS staff and clinicians, organized the event.  Services included screening monolingual seniors for depression, educating them on their results and referring them to appropriate care, if needed.  Service agencies from throughout San Mateo County also attended to promote behavioral health resources available to the community.

Chinese seniors who participated in the event provided very grateful responses to this event in spite of the strong stigma ingrained within traditional Chinese culture. CHI is very appreciative of the opportunity to work closely with Self Help for the Elderly and looks forward to future partnerships.