Please see the latest issue of the Director’s Newsletter from BHRS Director, Dr. Jei Africa!
Topics include:
This is a continuation of a story from page 2 of the September BHRS Director’s Newsletter.
My name is Amanda, I am 36 years old and live in South San Francisco. I am a graduate of the BHRS program, Lived Experience Academy (LEA). I am grateful to be celebrating another National Suicide Prevention Month as a survivor of my own suicide attempt in 2007. I am passionate about sharing my story with others in hopes that it may help someone who is struggling or someone who may think that suicide is their only option. I hope to spark the notion that with the right support, they too can find purpose and reason for living.
Living with Bipolar Disorder has sunk me to the lowest depths of depression, darkness, addiction and isolation. As well as mania that gives me superhuman energy, creativity and many times impulsive behaviors. After waking up in the ICU and realizing I survived my attempt, it became my mission to learn new tools to better navigate the world with the cards I had been dealt. I got sober, lived in a halfway house, committed myself to behavioral health and cut ties with relationships that were not supportive of my new healthy lifestyle. I wish my story was linear and I could say that I lived happily ever after, but my journey continues to have many turns and dips.
The most important thing for me now is that I am supported no matter the hurdles I may encounter. I have a support team through various resources: friends and family, North County Mental Health, the Access Call Center, weekly meetings with my private therapist and healthcare doctors (to keep not only my mind healthy but my body healthy as well, because it’s all connected) and community involvement.
My mind is sneaky, I can convince myself at times that I am “fine” and I don’t need all of this support. This is when I am especially grateful to have outside team members who gently remind me of my goals and treatment plans I created with them while in a more grounded headspace.
I put work in every single day to combat the challenges that come along with bipolar, building my mental fitness so I never attempt to take my life again. My hope is that we can have open conversations about mental wellness all year long, after the hype of a day or month has past. And to peel away some of the layers of stigma around mental health patients so more people will feel comfortable connecting to resources and building their own support teams.
By Amanda Brant, Suicide Survivor, LEA Graduate and Lived Experience Education Workgroup (LEEW) Member.
Nomination form for the 2024 David Lewis Award is now open. Deadline to submit nomination form has been extended to August 30th, 2024.
This award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to substance abuse recovery through successful programs, community education, stigma reduction or client advocacy. David Lewis was a long-term employee of San Mateo County Health. He was the co-founder and president of the Board of Directors of “Free at Last,” a substance abuse treatment and prevention agency in East Palo Alto that seeks to break the cycle of addiction, rebuild families, foster education and economic self sufficiency, and contribute to the health and safety of the community.
Download nomination form below.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF LOSS OF LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITY
It is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge the tragic passing of a community member in Menlo Park last week. We recognize that this event may have deeply impacted many individuals such as families, friends, and the community. Many emotions may be evoked – heartache, sadness, confusion, grief, anger, or despair. We encourage everyone take a moment to reflect on the importance of mental health and the struggles that they may face. As the Suicide Prevention Committee for San Mateo County, we recognize and are committed to fostering an environment of compassion, understanding, and support for those in need.
If you, or someone you care about is experiencing mental health distress or crisis, please reach out to Crisis Hotline at (650) 579 – 0350 or dial 988.
Resources are available, you are not alone and there is help available.
This section includes news that intersects with our local suicide prevention work:
CRISIS RESOURCES
NON-CRISIS RESOURCES
We have the power to make a difference. By spreading awareness, providing support, and advocate for change, we can help people create a world where they feel seen, heard, and supported.
Here are ways you can help:
QUESTIONS OR FEEDBACK? READY TO GET INVOLVED?
CONTACT US!
Martha Cervantes, LMFT #129448 (She/Her)
Director of StarVista Crisis Services
martha.cervantes@star-vista.org
(650) 208 – 3057
Sylvia Tang, MPP (She/Her)
Community Health Planner
San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services (BHRS) Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE)
stang@smcgov.org
(650) 208 – 5799
Walter Ng (He/Him)
Program Coordinator of StarVista Crisis Services
walter.ng@star-vista.org
(650) 722 – 7652
MHSA Steering Committee meetings are open to the public to provide input, make recommendations and stay up-to-date on new MHSA developments and ongoing programming. The next meeting, details below, will be focused on MHSA updates and Innovation project planning.
Thursday, September 5, 2024 / 3-4:30pm (Hybrid Meeting)
Location: San Mateo Public Library
Laurel Room 55 W 3rd Ave, San Mateo
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89224214146
Dial in: +1 669 900 6833 / Mtg ID: 892 2421 4146
Join us for Interfaith National Day of Prayer on Tues, 10/1/24, 12PM-2PM at 400 County Center, Redwood City!
We are ALL touched by mental illness. Only with the guidance, prayers and actions from our faith and behavioral health networks working together, will our communities reach better mental health and well-being.
At the Day of Prayer for Behavioral Health and Understanding, faith and secular leaders will join hundreds of events around the country to publicly recommit ourselves to replace misinformation, blame, fear and prejudice with truth, inclusion and love in order to offer hope and support to those most in need.
Community members, consumers, family members, faith community and behavioral health providers all welcome!
The National Day of Prayer has been observed in San Mateo County since 2016.
For more information contact: Isaac Frederick at ifrederick@smcgov.org or Pam Ward Pious at wpam3238@gmail.com.
Our next MHSA Steering Committee meeting is on Thursday, September 5th. Please note that this is a hybrid meeting. For those who want to join in person, we will be meeting at the San Mateo Library (55 W 3rd Ave in San Mateo). The Zoom link is included below if you prefer to join virtually and the phone line for those conferencing in. The latest information for MHSA can always be found on the MHSA website, www.smchealth.org/MHSA, under the “Announcements” tab.
Next MHSA Steering Committee – Thursday, September 5, 2024, from 3-4:30pm (hybrid meeting)
Now that we have the vote results for Proposition 1, we will be focusing the meeting on next steps, timeline for implementation and an opportunity for participants to provide input on the community planning process that will support implementation.
San Mateo Library, Laurel Room, 55 W 3rd Ave, San Mateo
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89224214146
Dial in: +1 669 900 6833 / Mtg ID: 892 2421 4146
Thank you!
Commissioner Jean Perry, MHSA Steering Committee Co-chairperson
Commissioner Leti Bido, MHSA Steering Committee Co-chairperson
Doris Estremera, MHSA Manager
Hi, all,
Our Parent Project® Fall 2024 semester is finally here! Please help spread the word about our Fall 2024 semester by sharing the flyers attached below with your networks and referring folks to our classes. This semester will feature one virtual English class, beginning on Tuesday, September 10th, and one virtual Spanish class beginning on Wednesday, September 11th.
Community members can refer to the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Office of Diversity and Equity’s Parent Project® webpage for more information on our upcoming classes, the all-class flyer, and more. If community members prefer other Parent Project® class options, they can refer to the main Parent Project® website to find virtual or in-person classes in their area.
If you would like to learn more about the Parent Project® program, or if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me via my email or phone number at nkelleher@smcgov.org or (650) 649-8411.
📅 We are one month away from September Suicide Prevention Month (in addition to Recovery Happens Month)!
San Mateo County will be joining statewide and nationwide efforts for the following Suicide Prevention Month (SPM) observances. SPM is one of the best times of the year where we can honor those affected by suicide and inspire action to prevent suicide.
The 2024 SPM statewide theme is “Love Over Loneliness”. Our San Mateo County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution in January declaring loneliness a public health crisis and pledging to promote social connection in our communities. According to the 2023 San Mateo County Health and Quality of Life Survey, 45% of respondents in San Mateo County were experiencing difficulty with loneliness and isolation.
Now more than ever it is important that we find ways to connect with one another. Know the signs, find the words, and reach out.
This year, San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services’ Office of Diversity & Equity and San Mateo County Suicide Prevention Committee lead a variety of virtual and in-person events, advocacy days and communication campaign. For the latest updates on free events and resources, you can visit SMCSuicidePrevention.com. To help spread this message of hope, you can share our flyer.
Studies show young adults ages 18 to 25, also defined as transition-age youth (TAY), are at high risk for substance misuse—particularly alcohol and marijuana use. Non-student TAY are also at a higher risk of developing alcohol use disorders.
While prevention efforts for this age group have primarily focused on those who attend a four-year college, SAMHSA compiled information on how to address alcohol and substance misuse among young adults who are exploring their futures outside of a four-year college. These individuals may be in the workforce, enrolled in community college, or exploring other endeavors.
Due to the gap in prevention messaging for TAY taking different paths in their lives, there is tremendous opportunity for professionals and others who interface with young adults to play a role in connecting young adults to information about substance use and services that can help them make healthy choices as they enter adulthood.
Find SAMHSA’s mini-campaign at https://www.stopalcoholabuse.gov/communitiestalk/minicampaigns/.
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