Category Archives: Announcement

BHRS Welcomes New Director

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Scott Gilman_Headshot

BHRS is delighted to welcome Scott Gilman as the new BHRS Director. Over the past five years, Scott served as the Chief Executive Officer of Network180, the Community Mental Health Center for Kent County, Michigan. Like San Mateo County BHRS, Network 180 provides direct mental health and substance use services and maintains a large private provider network. Gilman also served as executive director of Shiawassee Community Mental Health from 2006 to 2013.

To learn more about Scott, see the full article in Wellness Matters, the BHRS eJournal.

San Mateo County Residents Can Now Text 911 in an Emergency

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San Mateo County has enabled 911 texting as an option for people in an emergency. Every law enforcement and fire agency dispatch center is now equipped to receive and respond to mobile phone 911 text messages. While this Text-to-911 program brings greater accessibility to people in emergency situations, Police and fire officials emphasize calling 911 is still the preferred way to get help during an emergency. But if calling is not an option, then send a text to 911.

San Mateo police offered the following tips for texting 911.

  • Always provide the exact location of the emergency
  • Text messages should be brief and easy to understand
  • Do not use abbreviations, emojis or slang
  • Remember that the ability to send/receive images and videos is limited and often dependent on the cellular provider
  • Texts can only be received in English at this time  –  this service will be available in additional languages in the near future in San Mateo County

It’s also important to note that phones or devices must be on a text or data plan, be text capable, and have their location services enabled to send a text message to 911.

Read the full Mercury News article here.

11/16 – Technology Suite Advisory Committee

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Technology Suite Advisory Committee

Recently, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) joined a County Behavioral Health Technology Collaborative, a statewide project aimed at utilizing technology- based and online services and supports to engage and increase access for individuals experiencing symptoms of mental illness who may struggle accessing traditional resources. 

We are seeking a Technology Suite Advisory Committee (TSAC), composed of mental health providers, mental health clients/consumers, family members and community members to help design and oversee the Technology Suite implementation and evaluation. The purpose of the committee is to have a forum for members to provide recommendations on the features offered through the Technology Suite and input on the implementation. The TSAC will review the Technology Suite activities and make suggestions for improvement. The Office of Diversity and Equity will be overseeing the implementation process. 

The informational meeting is to answer any questions, share more about the statewide project and the role of the committee.  You can attend the informational meeting to learn more without any commitment to further participation.

Written by Brittany Ganguly, Community Health Planner

Office of Diversity and Equity 

11/13 -Transgender Day of Remembrance 2018

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Please join us  for our Transgender Day of Remembrance Gathering on November 13th, 2018 from 5:00pm-7:00pm at San Mateo Public Library. Our program will begin with a candlelight procession and solidarity chants through downtown San Mateo at 5:00pm. Afterwards, we will return to the library to hear from community speakers (additional youth speakers not included on flyer), share resources and learn about actions we can all take to stand in solidarity against anti-transgender violence. As a few of our nation’s leaders consider redefining the meaning of gender, erasing the experiences of transgender folks, we must unite to raise awareness of anti-transgender violence and the lethal implications of defining gender strictly within a binary. Our collective resistance is one more step towards wellness and healing for us all.

This event is brought to the community by the PRIDE Initiative, the LGBTQ Commission , The San Mateo County Pride Center, and BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity.

Written by Annette Pakhchian, LGBTQ+ Community Outreach 

Chinese Health Initiative’s New Meeting Schedule

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Next Chinese Health Initiative (CHI) meeting is on Friday, November 2nd from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Room 201 at 2000 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo.

Starting November, CHI meets the 1st Fridays of the month 1:30 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. in Room 201 at 2000 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. Our December meeting is scheduled for Friday, December 7th, same time and location. 

For the most up-to-date information, please contact the CHI Co-Chairs Shiyu Zhang and Winnie Wu at CHI@smcgov.org.

Happy First International Pronouns Day!

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Today is International Pronouns Day! Sharing your pronouns and asking others for theirs can help everyone feel comfortable and acknowledged. SMC Health recommends sharing your pronouns in your email signature! See the example below to see how you can share yours, and check out our blog post, “Sharing Our Gender Pronouns” for more discussion on why pronouns are an essential part of respectful communication.

Signature- AJP

Written by Annette Pakhchian, LGBTQ+ Community Outreach 

www.smhealth.org/bhrs/ODE

 

October 2 – National Day of Prayer

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Tuesday, October 2nd will be the 3rd Annual National Day of Prayer for Behavioral Health and Understanding. Faith and Secular leaders will join hundreds around the country in an effort to replace the blame, fear and prejudice surrounding behavioral health issues with truth, inclusion and love. Community members, consumers, family members, behavioral health providers and the faith community are all welcome. The event will be held at the courtyard of 400 County Center, Redwood City.

For more information see the event flier or contact William Kruse at (510)-506-3815 or  Melinda Ricossa at (650)-372-8573.

Know the Signs, Find the Words, Reach Out

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In recognition of September Suicide Prevention Month, San Mateo County’s Behavioral Health and Recovery Services reminds everyone that by knowing the signs, finding the words, and reaching out, we can work together to prevent suicide.

Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues. Much like mental health conditions, suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, or background. Too often the feelings of shame and stigma prevent those affected from talking openly or seeking help.

September, which is nationally recognized as suicide prevention month, is a time for us to share resources and stories to shed light on the highly taboo and stigmatized topic. It is important that individuals, friends, and family are receiving the resources to learn the signs of suicide, how to find the words to talk openly about suicide, and how to reach out.

If you or someone you know is facing a mental health crisis, call the StarVista Crisis Hotline 650-579-0350 (1-800-273-8255).

For more information on how to help a loved one who may be at risk of suicide, visit www.suicideispreventable.org.

For information on San Mateo County suicide prevention resources, visit www.smchealth.org/suicideprevention.

While suicide prevention is important to address year-round, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides a dedicated time to come together with collective passion and strength around a difficult topic. Truthfully, we can all benefit from honest conversations about

September 19 -The S-Word Film Screening and Q&A Panel

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In honor of September Suicide Prevention month, on Wednesday, 9/12, please join us for a film screening of the S-Word. Film will be shown in English with Spanish subtitles. 

Following the film screening will be a Q&A panel which will offer Spanish and Chinese interpretation. Childcare (for ages 3-15) and refreshments provided. Registered attendees are entered in a raffle for a chance to win an Amazon gift card.

Synopsis: A suicide attempt survivor is on a mission to find fellow survivors and document their stories of courage, insight and humor. Along the way, she discovers a rising national movement transforming personal struggles into action.

Register via the Eventbrite link HERE.

Chinese Flyer | Spanish Flyer | English Flyer

September 24 – MHSA Steering Committee Meeting

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MHSA Steering Cmttee Flyer_092418-1

The next MHSA Steering Committee has been scheduled and as always is open to the public!  The Steering Committee meets twice a year and makes recommendations to the planning funding and services development for MHSA.   At the next meeting  we will:

  • Review an MHSA framework and key principles for funding programs and expansions.
  • Learn about the Pride Center outcomes and request for a 2-year extension.
  • Hear about the next steps for the MHSA Innovation funding cycle.

Key Action Item: Steering Committee members to approve a recommendation to request an Innovation fund extension for the Pride Center. 

MHSA Steering Committee Meeting

Monday, September 24, 2018 / 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Foster City Community Cntr, Wind Room

1000 E Hillsdale Blvd.  Foster City, CA 94404

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