Join us on Thursday evening, Sept 19, for a panel presentation of San Mateo County’s first-ever graphic novel on mental health.
The Office of Diversity and Equity Storytelling Series worked with our community to create its first graphic novel on mental health. The graphic novel includes the lived experiences of some of the people with
whom we work. These clients and peers shared their stories of resilience in a method that can make sense to everyone: comics. This way, more people in our county may benefit from the hope and resilience that transcends the experiences of hardships that inspired these stories.
In the workshop where the graphic novel was created, each artist had the opportunity
to create a spread (inner panels of two facing pages). Looking at the book, one story illustrates the growth of a storyteller by showing the growth progression of a water lily, which metaphorically grows towards the light from underneath the water. Other stories include recounts of events and the positive impact that these events had on the lives of the storytellers.
While each story differs, they all hold a common theme: recovery is possible, and all of us are resilient. Further, these stories represent all of us because each of us has experienced hardship, and all of us have opportunities to practice resilience and self care.
On the 19th, we will read the graphic novel, host a panel in which the storytellers will answer questions, and discuss the ways that we all relate to the stories shared.
Join us for a healing and positive evening.
To learn more about September Suicide Prevention Month, resources and for a full list of events, visit www.smchealth.org/SuicidePrevention.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please reach out to these 24/7 crisis hotlines: StarVista Crisis Hotline (San Mateo County) – 650-579-0350, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and/or Crisis Text Line – Text “Home” to 741741.
If you or someone you know is in need of mental health or substance use services and you have MediCal, Health Plan San Mateo (HPSM), or are uninsured, please contact BHRS ACCESS at (806) 686- 0101 or TDD at (800) 943- 2833. If you have private insurance please reach out to your insurance company and request support.
#BetheOneSMC #ImHereForYou
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