COMMITTEE UPDATES
Latest Updates
- Star Vista Organizational Update – Merger Plans 2025: https://star-vista.org/organizational-update-starvista-merger-plans/
Monthly Meetings
- Upcoming Meeting: 07/01/2025 1:30pm – 3pm
- Topics: Partner Presentation – Behavioral Health Crisis Services (TBD), Suicide Data Visualization Project, & Suicide Prevention Month Planning
- Prior Meeting: Tuesday, 06/03/2025 1:30pm – 3pm
- Topics: Partner Presentation by SMC Office of Education, Resource Websites, and Suicide Prevention Month Planning
- 2025 Meeting Schedule
UPCOMING EVENTS & TRAININGS
Mental Health First Aid Trainings in San Mateo County
https://smcbhrsblog.org/2025/06/05/mental-health-first-aid-summer-schedule/
Registration is Required for all trainings: bit.ly/SMCOUNTY
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (In-Person)
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.
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://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/1w6vCxkz2qFAp7AMs2CPhyIjdu
StarVista’s Crisis Center offers vital mental health and suicide prevention trainings and postventions for diverse organizations across San Mateo County, including schools, non-profits, and government agencies.
These services aim to cultivate mental health awareness and resilience through customizable presentations and adaptable to any age group. Key topics include comprehensive suicide prevention for both school and community settings, professional-level suicide assessment training for clinicians, and an overview of Crisis Center services, emphasizing accessible, effective crisis interventions.
We are here to ensuring these crucial resources are available to all, empowering communities to better understand and respond to mental health challenges.
To schedule, visit https://sanmateocrisis.org/communitytraining
IN THE NEWS
This section includes news that intersects with our local suicide prevention work:
Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Director Newsletter (June 2025)
SAMHSA Statement on 988 Press #3 Option
(https://www.samhsa.gov/about/news-announcements/statements/2025/samhsa-statement-988-press-3-option)
LGBTQ+ Youth Suicide Hotline to Close
(https://www.advocate.com/politics/lgbtq-youth-suicide-hotline-closed)
The federal government will close the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services – a federal program that provides emergency crisis support to queer youth considering suicide – effective July 17, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced Wednesday.
StarVista Merger Plans 2025
(https://star-vista.org/organizational-update-starvista-merger-plans/)
“The agency we are looking to merge with values the important, community-based work we do and believes that many of our programs will enhance their behavioral health services, ensuring our community continues to receive the care it needs and deserves. The merger process will take time, and the final outcome remains uncertain. In the interim, we are working closely with San Mateo County and our other key partners to ensure services continue with as little disruption as possible”
Hearings Begin Monday on County’s $4.9 Billion Recommended Budget
(https://www.smcgov.org/ceo/news/hearings-begin-monday-countys-49-billion-recommended-budget)
San Mateo County supervisors will begin three days of public hearings Monday on the 2025-26 Recommended Budget, a $4.9 billion spending plan that funds essential services and programs benefiting the county’s most vulnerable residents.
Supervisor Speier Provides Funding for Library Grants to Build Community
(https://www.smcgov.org/district-1/news/supervisor-speier-provides-funding-library-grants-build-community)
Supervisor Jackie Speier will provide a total of $50,000 in grant funding to county libraries to encourage community-building programs. The Measure K funded grants will be available for each of the 35 library outlets with a maximum of $5,000 per outlet.
2025 Pride Celebration Louder and Prouder
(https://smcbhrsblog.org/2025/06/18/2025-pride-celebration-was-louder-and-prouder-than-ever/)
On Saturday, June 14th, San Mateo County’s 13th Annual Pride Parade and Celebration united over 7000 community members in a vibrant display of LGBTQ+ pride, resilience, and joy. Centered on the theme “Breaking Boundaries, Shaping Futures,” the event uplifted visibility, equity, and community healing.
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
- Countywide
- Call San Mateo County Crisis Line (operated by StarVista) at (650) 579 – 0350
- Call 988
- Statewide
- Text 988
- Chat 988
- Para ayuda en español: https://988lifeline.org/es/chat/
- Call or Text the California Youth Crisis Line at 1 (800) 843 – 5200
- Find more resources on the California Department of Public Health (CADPH) Crisis Hotlines, Warmlines and Resource
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.
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, August 5th, 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!
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
Taylor Georgina Coutts, ASW (She/Her/Hers)
Crisis Center Director
StarVista Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Center
Associate Clinical Social Worker #108365
(Supervised by Michelle Maddex)
taylor.coutts@star-vista.org
(650) 727 – 7184