Suicide Prevention Committee Newsletter – May 2025

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The Suicide Prevention Committee (SPC) provides oversight and direction to suicide prevention efforts in San Mateo County. Led by the Office of Diversity and Equity at San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, the committee is comprised of suicide attempt survivors, suicide loss survivors, behavioral health providers, social service providers, local transportation agency staff, and other community members passionate about preventing suicide in our community.

COMMITTEE UPDATES

Latest Updates

Monthly Meetings

UPCOMING EVENTS & TRAININGS

ASIST is a two-day in person interactive workshop in suicide first aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognize when someone may be at risk for suicide and work with them to create a plan to support their immediate safety.
Skills learned in one environment are transferable to others, creating a life-saving impact across the community.

This course is offered by San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Office of Diversity and Equity for the following dates: 6/9/25 & 6/10/25

To Register: Click Here

Mental Health First Aid and Be Sensitive Be Brave Trainings
Dedicated to empowering youth and families in underserved communities through evidence-based mental health training, Kingdom Love LLC focus is on strengthening family and community connections by providing accessible, skill-based education that fosters a shared understanding for prevention and early intervention.

To learn more and register for upcoming trainings, visit: https://www.kingdomlove.live/trainings

Events

Camp Hope for Youth Experiencing Grief – May 3rd & May 4th

Boys and Girls Club Club
600 Jr High Dr
La Mesa, California 91941

Camp Hope is a free two-day bereavement camp for young people who have recently lost a loved one. They will be able to meet other young people going through similar experiences, share memories, and express themselves.

This camp is for youth 13-17 yrs old and is free. Learn more by visiting:

www.CampHopeCA.com

IN THE NEWS

This section includes news that intersects with our local suicide prevention work:

Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Director Newsletter (April 2025)
Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Director Newsletter (March 2025)

2025 May Mental Health Month: Mental Health as a Continuum
(https://smcbhrsblog.org/2025/04/10/2025-may-mental-health-month-mental-health-as-a-continuum/)
This year, San Mateo County and California’s theme for May Mental Health Month theme is Mental Health as a Continuum. This theme challenges the binary idea of “healthy” versus “unhealthy” mental health, normalizing the wide range of mental health needs and options for support. Let’s come together to embrace and accept the full spectrum of their well-being.   

2025 Community Information Handbook
(https://www.smcgov.org/hsa/community-information-handbook)
Accessible in multiple languages, this comprehensive resource guide for the residents of San Mateo County. This handbook provides a hard and soft copy resource. In addition to the resources included in this handbook, you can find more information on nonprofit agencies, government programs, and community organizations at www.smc-connect.org.

The interactive, easy-to-use web browser and search tool works on various platforms: desktops, tablets, and smartphones.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESOURCES

Practical Guide: 988 vs 911
This Practical Guide provides key considerations for guiding people in the appropriate use of 988 and 911. It offers practical steps for integrating crisis care into daily practice, real world scenarios, sample scripts, and de-escalation techniques.

CRISIS RESOURCES

NON-CRISIS RESOURCES

BE SENSITIVE, BE BRAVE

This is a two-hour foundational workshop that infuses culture and diversity throughout. The County offers a Mental Health version and a Suicide Prevention version.

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID

This is an eight-hour skills-based training course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health or substance uses signs or crises. The County offers a youth and adult version of this workshop.

For more information about both trainings above, please contact: Sylvia Tang stang@smcgov.org

CALL TO ACTION!

We have the power to make a difference.
By spreading awareness, providing support, and advocate for change, we can help people create aa world where they feel seen, heard, and supported. Here are ways you can help:

Actively participate in the next SPC meeting:
Tuesday, May 6th, 2025, 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Web Browser: https://zoom.us/j/410362485 
(Meeting ID: 410 362 485)
One-Tap Phone: +16699006833,,410362485#
Phone (dial-in): +1 669 900 6833 US
(San Jose) Meeting ID: 410 362 485

Invite Someone New!
Ask new stakeholder, partner, agency, organization,  community member to join the SPC mailing list.

Read more about these strategies for improving crisis response systems nationwide and how stakeholders can provide guidance on mobile crisis team effectiveness here.

Announcements?
Have an important commission meeting?
Upcoming event you would like to highlight?
Send an email by the second Tuesday of each month for co-chairs review to: walter.ng@star-vista.org

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

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