BHRS is looking into technology-based solutions to our community’s unique behavioral health needs. Attend one of the forums listed below, and share your voice on how these Mental Health Services Act dollars are spent.
MHSA Community Forums from April 17th to May 10th. See flyers for times and locations.
During the forums, participants will learn about three technology innovations that are intended to:
Additionally, stakeholder feedback will be gathered around community needs and considerations to best adapt the technology innovations for San Mateo County.
For more information, please contact Doris Estremera, MHSA Manager at destremera@smcgov.org or (650) 219-3840.
HAP-Y Cohort
The Health Ambassador Program for Youth (HAP-Y) is an innovative and community-developed program delivered by StarVista. It is designed for youth ages 16 to 24 who are interested in advocating for communities that have been touched by mental health challenges, raising awareness about mental wellness and increasing access to mental health services. The program is funded by innovation funds through the Mental Health Services Act, which are designed to engage individuals, families and communities to be active change agents regarding wellness, particularly behavioral health. The program is managed by BHRS’ Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE), whose primary focus is reaching and engaging vulnerable families and communities in San Mateo.
The participants of the program, most whom have lived experience with mental health challenges, participate in a 14-week training program, creating a personal Wellness Recovery Action, and learning about common mental health challenges and the principles of suicide prevention.
HAP-Y Cohort
After completing the trainings, HAP-Y graduates are encouraged to conduct community presentations to start conversations and increase knowledge about mental health and community supports available. In the first year of HAP-Y, 20 youth successfully completed the program. They have already reached an audience of over 300 through classroom-based presentations. Preliminary evaluations suggest an increase of over 30 percent in knowledge of where to seek supports and services for mental health issues.
HAP-Y has seen success, not only in reaching an audience, but in providing a sense of community for participants. HAP-Y graduates said the group provided a welcoming and loving environment, where they could have real conversations about topics that they are often unable to have with their peers.
As the program enters its second year, there is an additional focus on continuing to engage past participants and building on their skills and passions. If you are interested in learning more about the program, please contact hapy@star-vista.org.
The next 14-week HAP-Y training will start on May 15th and will be hosted in Half Moon Bay. Please share this information with any youth you think may be interested in participating in this program.
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The topic of immigration is controversial and complex. However regardless of one’s personal views on the issue, it is undeniable that the uncertainty and lack of information in our communities is ultimately detrimental to the communities’ health. An article by the Washington Post describes how the stress experienced by the threat of deportation can have devastating effects on health, beyond those immediately affected.
“Over time, such chronic stress, unaddressed, will make them far more vulnerable to heart disease, asthma, diabetes and post-traumatic stress disorder.”
The University of Michigan conducted a study on the impact of the 2008 federal immigration raid in Postville, Iowa, the largest in U.S. history. The study found an increase of Hispanic babies born with low birth weight, which can cause long term health risks, a 24% increase in comparison to the year before.
The study also found that the risk for low birth weight was equally high for Latinas with protected legal status, “…in spite of their apparent safety, their bodies were reacting as if they, too, could soon be deported.” This can result in an “epigenetic” effect that modifies the way genes are expressed, allowing for the transmission of “vulnerabilities to stress from one generation to the next.”
While the debate over immigration continues, it is important to take a moment to recognize that what affects one group actually affects us all. We have a responsibility to care for the health of all community members, but equally important, to stay informed and aid those who are vulnerable.
Join BHRS and the San Mateo County Legal Aid Society to learn about available health coverage programs for San Mateo County residents and how to become and remain eligible for them. This event is free and open to the public.
When and Where?
Sunday, April 29 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Municiple Services Building, Betty Weber Room
See the event flier for more information.
This year, in celebration of May Mental Health Awareness Month (MMHAM), San Mateo County’s annual kick-off event will be on May 4th from 6-9pm at Cunha Intermediate School in Half Moon Bay.
Did you know 1 in 4 people experience a mental health challenge, but fewer than half are getting the help they need? One of the main reasons for this is due to the large amounts of stigma towards mental health.
At this FREE event, learn about mental wellness and how to stop stigma in your community. Learn about all the mental health resources available in your community to understand that help is available.
Enjoy FREE food, dance performances from local dance groups, poetry slams, short film screenings, wellness crafts, and more!
We welcome everyone!
Shout out to our BHRS staff for celebrating wellness on National Walking Day!
For the first time, in celebration of San Mateo County’s (SMC) Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities, Chinese Health Initiative (CHI), Filipino Mental Health Initiative (FMHI), and Pacific Islander Initiative (PII) collaborate to host a free intergenerational feast for the community filled with delicious free food, inspirational speakers, raffles, and wellness practice performances.
Historically SMC’s AANHPI communities have had few events to recognize and celebrate one another. The goal of this event is to bridge the SMC AANHPI communities across ethnicities/ generations to be empowered together towards wellness. The event aims to strengthen relationships and break the AANHPI communities from their silos.
Please RSVP for the event by May 16th by emailing Kristie Lui at kflui@smcgov.org or calling her at (650) 573- 5037.
We hope to see you all there!
Written by Kristie Lui, CHI Member
The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office is hosting a Bay Area Missing Person’s Day, with resources for family and friends affected by the disappearance of a loved one and members of the community who want to learn more about missing and unidentified persons investigations.
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