Monthly Archives: November 2016

The Parent Project family will be graduating soon!

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Participants of our Parent Project class at Hillsdale High School joined each other to celebrate a baby shower for their classmate.

On Thursday, November 17th, parents took a break from their scheduled lesson to celebrate a baby shower!  After 10 weeks together, parents often bond and form personal relationships. As they organized the celebration, some brought treats for the class, while others decorated the classroom to show support for the young couple attending the class.

It is our mission for parents to build networks of support in the process with other parents, as well as learn helpful tools to improve their family relationships. The Hillsdale class will be graduating on Thursday, December 8th. We encourage BHRS staff to come out to celebrate and support our parents! Click to view the graduation calendar.

For more information on Parent Project please contact Frances Lobos at flobos@smcgov.org.

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Parent Project class celebrating at a baby shower!

MHFA training for Second Harvest Food Bank

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Just in time to support the community for Thanksgiving, 15 people at Second Harvest Food Bank graduated as Mental Health First Aiders! The workshop took place on November 18th. Participants discussed topics in recognizing mental health issues, challenging stigma, and how to ask ‘the question’.

Just in case you are interested, it is important to ask someone about suicide if you are concerned: “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” Be direct. It is always better to feel a little embarrassed after someone says ‘no’ than to live with the regret that you didn’t intervene.

Volunteer for Second Harvest Food Bank here. Contact Natalie Andrade to learn more about Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid training: (650) 372-8548, nandrade@smcgov.org.

Below is a picture of the group– They are a silly bunch!

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Second Harvest Food Bank after their Mental Health First Aid training.

 

Surgeon General Releases Landmark Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health

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Yesterday, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a new, landmark report on alcohol and drugs, and health. “Alcohol and drug addiction take an enormous toll on individuals, families, and communities,” said Dr.  Murthy. “Most Americans know someone who has been touched by an alcohol or a drug use disorder. Yet 90 percent of people with a substance abuse disorder are not getting treatment. That has to change.” This report is significant because it is the first ever report on addiction from a top federal health official. Some of the highlights of the 428-page include:

Addiction is costly with an estimated cost of $442 billion each year.

Addiction is a disease and not a moral failing.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) was identified as an evidence-based component of care.

For the full report and executive summary, visit https://addiction.surgeongeneral.gov/

Showing Support for Survivors of Suicide

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Tomorrow, November 19th, National Survivors of Suicide Day will be observed in the United States.  These days of mental health observance create a societal shift from mental illness and suicide stigma towards a platform of awareness about the incidence of mental illness and ways to aid its prevention.  However, as important as it is to focus attention on educating the masses on how to “Know the Signs,” or to understand the importance behind the tagline “Pain Isn’t Always Obvious,” it is also essential for us to show our support for the friends and family of people who have attempted or completed suicide.

Let’s spread the word about resources and events in the Bay Area that are ready to support you or someone you may know on National Survivors of Suicide Day. Remember, however you choose to participate on November 19th, the strength of love and comfort is found in communal unity.

 

Local Events:

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)– Greater San Francisco organized gathering all over Northern California to offer support and practice healing as a community. Additionally, the AFSP documentary, Life Journeys: Reclaiming Life after Loss, will be shown and additional programming is specific to each event and may include presentations by loss survivors and mental health professionals, as well as small group discussions that bring together people who have experienced similar losses.

All events will be held on November 19th, 2016.

Time: 8:30 – 11:30am

Eureka, CA:

St. Joseph Hospital, Conference Center 1
2700 Dolbeer Street
Eureka, California  95501

 Time: 9am – 11:30am

Fremont, CA:

Ohlone College, Building 7
43600 Mission Boulevard
Fremont, California  94587

 Time: 8:30am – 12:30pm

Livermore, CA:

Hope Hospice, Inc., Suite 100
6377 Clark Avenue
Dublin, California  94568

 Time: 9am – 12pm

Palo Alto, CA:

CHC
650 Clark Way
Palo Alto, California  94304
Time: 10am – 2pm

Seaside, CA:

Veterans Administration Monterey Outpatient Clinic
3401 Engineer Lane
Seaside, California  93955

 Time: 9am – 12pm

San Francisco, CA:

UCSF Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute
401 Parnassus Avenue
San Francisco, California  94143

 Time: 11am – 3pm

Santa Rosa, CA:

Sonoma County YMCA

1111 College Ave
nue

Santa Rosa, California  95124

 Time: 9am – 12pm:

Walnut Creek, CA:

John Muir Health
TBD
Walnut Creek, California  94596

Resources:

  • Helping others or yourself recover from losing a loved one as they grieve can be a difficult process – especially if unsure of what to say or do. Friends For Survival, Inc. offers an amazing way to remember the keys to help the healing process, called the Six T’s: Time, Tears, Talk, Touch, Trust, and Toil.
  • To find local grief support groups, please visit the American Association of Suicidiology to search for opportunities for self-help or supporting others. Additionally, if you know a child or teen who is grieving, please visit Children’s Grief Awareness Day, which is on November 17th, to learn how to their grief-recovery.

 

Article by Chenece Blackshear, Intern with the Office of Diversity and Equity

ABC’s of Local Advocacy in San Mateo County

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On November 15th, the California Association of Mental Health Peer Run Organizations (CAMHPRO) delivered a workshop on the basics of local advocacy to over 40 behavioral health peer partners, family members and advocates from Heart & Soul, Inc., the California Clubhouse, Voice of Recovery, National Alliance on Mental Illness San Mateo and BHRS.

The workshop covered everything from what it takes to participate in community program planning, mental health boards, system of care meetings and other local input opportunities, to knowing the laws including the Mental Health Services Act regulations, to mock input opportunities.

Participants got to practice writing and giving effective public comment input. Many nervously made their way up to the room podium and shared their 2 minute public comment, often including their own personal lived experience as a means to add a personal touch to their input.
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The most inspiring part of the workshop was getting to wrap up the day with a real action plan.  Groups were formed representing each of the agencies that were present to select a topic and issue they would like to work on as a team.  The groups developed on action plan that included next steps, who was responsible, deadlines and a follow up meeting. You could feel the excitement in the room as each group presented their advocacy issue and next steps.

The workshop was provided in collaboration with the Peer Recovery Collaborative and the BHRS Office of Consumer and Family Affairs and the Office of Diversity and Equity.

Parents from the Migrant Education Program trained in YMHFA

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After three evening sessions, parents from the Migrant Education Program in South San Francisco were trained in Spanish Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA).  The Migrant Education Program, provided by South San Francisco Unified School District, is a program that funds and supports educational programs for migratory children and their families. The program’s School Liaison/Recruiter, Veronica Benavides, helped coordinate YMHFA for parents in collaboration with Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE).

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Youth Mental Health First Aid is offered in English and Spanish.

For more information about YMHFA, visit http://smchealth.org/bhrs/ode/CommunityEd or contact Natalie Andrade at nandrade@smcgov.org or 650-372-8548.

2017 Hall of Fame Nominations

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The San Mateo County Mental Health and Substance Abuse Commission is seeking nomination for the Consumer Hall of Fame award.

The nomination should recognize a San Mateo County resident for his/her achievements in one or both of the following categories:

  • Contributions to better the lives of other consumers and/or leadership in the consumer movement; or
  • Personal journey of recovery that inspires and gives hope to others

To nominate someone, complete the nomination form and submit by December 17th.

 

Understanding How to Show Respect! 24/7

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On October 17th, San Mateo County Office of Education hosted its 3rd annual Respect! 24/7 conference. This year the theme was Inclusive and Resilient Communities, and keynote speaker, Micah Jacobson of The Boomerang Project, truly reminded all of the teachers, administrators, and educational advocates of what it felt like to time-warp back into middle school life. Through Jacobson’s flawless character impersonations of past middle school peers, his vivid stories of how he felt being the new kid at a new school in his 8th grade year, and encouraging all of us attending the conference to strip ourselves of ego and slip into the vulnerability of being silly during certain interactive exercises, as well as bravely sharing intimate details of our personal goals and fears. By the time the first hour of the conference ended, we all understood the experience of creating a community through inclusiveness ad resiliency, and moved into participating even more gem-fill workshops on topics such as One Love: A Movement to End Relationship Abuse, presented by The One Love Foundation; Special Olympics Unified Strategy for Schools, presented by  the Special Olympics of Northern California; Suicide Prevention and Intervention in Schools, presented by Crisis Services of BHRS; Using restorative Practices in San Mateo-Foster City School District; and Youth Mental Health First Aid, presented by Office of Diversity and Equity of BHRS.

So, what does the phrase “inclusive and resilient communities” actually mean? The conference challenged our thinking that at one point in our lives we have endured feelings associated with simply being left out. This notion of shared understanding among the group is also the mindset that can be built-in to our students’ environment to help our youth acknowledge that we all have shared experiences.  If we all remain inclusive of one another we will be stronger and more resilient as a whole, especially when we need the support the most.

I assure you, words cannot fully describe the impact all the presenters and workshops had on the audience. If you were unable to attend this year’s Respect! 24/7 conference, I urge you to visit the San Mateo County Office of Education Respect! 24/7 initiative page, or follow San Mateo County Office of Education on Twitter @SMCOE to see updates on upcoming conferences and trainings!

by Chenece Blackshear, ODE Intern

Getting a job? Unsure about how to make it happen?

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Your path to a successful, independent, and fulfilling future sfutureviewstarts with FutureVIEWS* at Skyline College!

Workshops focusing on personal growth, academic and career exploration through a series of workshops.

Participants will learn:
• Skills and gain knowledge of the various student support services offered at Skyline College that will prepare them to be successful in school or in getting and holding a job.

Students will be assisted with accessing:
• Psychological Services, Disability Resource Center, Workability, Job Club, Financial Aid, Sparkpoint, and The Learning Center, just to name a few.

For more information about the program services and workshops, please contact
Dr. Clyde Lewis, Workability III, Skyline College | (650) 738-4399 | lewisclyde@smccd.edu
Chris Robinson, Supported Education, Caminar | (650) 574-6472 | chrisr@caminar.org
Tim Holechek, North Co. Mental Health, BHRS | (650) 301-8656 | tholechek@smcgov.org
Tarek ElJarrari, Adjunct Faculty, Psychology Department | (650) 483-4697 | eljarrarit@smccd.edu

FutureVIEWS provides participants with individualized support to help them achieve their
vocational and/or educational goals. The program is entirely FREE, and all materials are
provided free of charge, including your certificate of achievement upon completion!!!
Let FutureVIEWS help you expand your horizon and realize your potential.

The Office of Diversity and Equity Receives a Special Recognition

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On Friday, October 21st the San Mateo County Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) received a special recognition from Outlet, a program of the Adolescent Counseling Services, for the work that ODE is engaged in creating health equity for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning (LGBTQQ+) community in the peninsula area.

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“My team and I together with our partners and youth leaders work tirelessly and creatively to bring discussions of inequities, disparities and injustice front and center in our work,” said Dr. Jei Africa, Director of ODE.

Outlet’s Annual Out to Eat Celebration and fundraiser event included a fun and inspiring program with renowned speakers and advocates such as Sid Espinosa, former Mayor of Palo Alto, who after a string of teen suicides in the city became increasingly focused on the city’s youth programs and teen mental health issues and Michelle Honda-Phillips, the mother of a 10-year-old transgender daughter and 8- and 11-year-old cisgender sons, who focuses much of her time advocating for transgender and gender non-conforming youth.

A part of the evening celebration was dedicated to recognizing the achievements of two organizations, the San Mateo County’s Office of Diversity and Equity and Santa Clara County’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs.  “The past couple of years have brought great strides setting a strong foundation to help build upon for more awareness, effective and sensitive services, and an overall expectation of equity on all fronts for the San Mateo LGBTQ+ community. It is an honor to work with and be a part of this movement with you!” said Anthony Ross, Outlet Program Director.

Dr. Africa shared about ODE’s work, through the PRIDE initiative, focused on addressing the barriers LGBTQ communities face with seeking behavioral health care services including, sponsoring the first ever PRIDE celebration in San Mateo County in 2013 and the near future launch of the LGBTQ Coordinated Services Center, the first of its kind in California, a one-stop-shop for a variety of resources and supports for LGBTQ families and individuals… “The Center has been a dream for many people, like me, who felt very invisible growing up. The goal of the Center is not only to provide a safe space but to acknowledge that we exist, we are important and we are loved,” said Dr. Jei Africa.

To learn more about the work of ODE and the PRIDE initiative visit, http://www.smchealth.org/ODE.

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