Category Archives: Announcement

Mental Health Month Photovoice Gallery Viewing Uplifts Community Voices

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On Friday, May 1st, we launched our May Mental Health Month celebration with a Photovoice Gallery Viewing event. In celebration of Mental Health Month, this Photovoice gallery centered community voices, fostered connection, and created a space for reflection, healing, and learning across our system of behavioral healthcare. Hosted on the BHRS Alameda patio, the public gallery showcased Spanish and English Photovoices created by clients and community members over the course of FY 25-26, and one series from FY 24-25. The Photovoices on display included our Housing, Wellness, Health Ambassador Youth, Hispanic Heritage, and Health Ambassador Program Photovoices. In an effort to ensure our attendees could engage with each story, all Spanish Photovoices were translated to English. The intention was to create an event that honored lived experience, meaning, purpose, and belonging—reminding attendees that sharing stories not only destigmatizes behavioral health but also contributes to equity, dignity, and recovery. Upon reading all 93 photovoice stories, participants completed a viewer evaluation survey and then received a free ice cream ticket for participation. We had attendees from various backgrounds: clients, community members, county staff, including our SMC County Health Chief, Colleen Chawla, and our SMC County Executive Office, Mike Callagy.

Consultants from the RDA Consulting team, currently contracted with BHRS to support with program analysis, attended the event which provided an opportunity for them to learn about the participants and stories behind the data. Overall, we were thrilled to have over 100 people attend the event. Many participants of the Photovoice Program also came to see their photovoices on display, attendees be inspired by their own stories. See insights from event below.

Thank you to all of you who were able to join us for this event! Be sure to join us for our next Photovoice Pop-Up booth at the Pride 2026 Health Equity Initiative event!  

Written by Nica Kelleher, BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity

2026 May Mental Health Month: Mental Health Is Ours

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Hello,  

This 2026 Mental Health Month theme is “Mental Health Is Ours” This theme highlights that mental health belongs to all of us. It is shaped by families, communities, relationships, culture, and lived experience. This theme invites everyone to take ownership of their well-being; while also recognizing the shared responsibility we have to support one another. 

Join us in commemorating Mental Health Month whether it’s attending a free mental health related event throughout the month, getting involved through advocacy, or finding support for yourself and others.  

Some events to look forward to this May:  

💚 Fri, 5/1- Photovoice Gallery Viewing @ 2000 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo 

💚 Tues, 5/5- Mental Health Month Kick Off @ allcove, San Mateo 

💚 Sat, 5/9- Move 4 Mind 5K @ Seal Point Park, San Mateo 

💚 Wed, 5/27- Mental Health Month Open Mic @ Café Zoë, Menlo Park 

Full list of events at www.smchealth.org/attend-events. 

About Mental Health Month: 

Each May, San Mateo County joins the state and nation in celebrating Mental Health Month (MHM). This month is an opportunity to increase awareness and reduce stigma by inspiring action and sparking meaningful conversation around mental health and substance use conditions. Each year we partner with local agencies and community members to promote events free and open to the public throughout the county.    

Be Sensitive, Be Brave: Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Training for the Black Community -Interest Form

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BACHAC in partnership with Community Connections Psychological Associates, Inc. and San Mateo County Health – Behavioral Health & Recovery Services are offering, Be Sensitive, Be Brave: Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Training for the Black Community. 

Join a powerful, culturally-infused training series designed for the Black/African American community in San Mateo County. This FREE workshop equips participants with tools to recognize signs of emotional distress, have courageous conversations about suicide, connect individuals to support, and build resilience within our communities.

Participants will also have the opportunity to share their voice through a follow-up focus group to help shape a curriculum that truly reflects and serves the Black community. Trainings will be held in May 2026 (in-person and virtual options available), and participants will receive a $25 Amazon gift card, with refreshments provided for in-person sessions.

High school students and adults can sign up to express their interest in creating a more responsive, stigma-free approach to mental health care. Trainings will be held in May.  

BSBB for Black African American Flier Interest formDownload

3/27 – Name Change to Farmworker Appreciation Day

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In solidarity with victims and survivors, ALAS and partners have updated this Friday’s event name to Farmworker’s Appreciation Day.

See more from Dr. Belinda Hernandez Arriaga’s letter to the community.

Event details:
Date: Friday, March 27th, 2026
Time: 5:00PM-8:30PM
Location: Ted Adcock Community Center, Half Moon Bay

Event info:
We stand in solidarity with our local farmworkers – the backbone of our food system and our community. Join us for an evening of reflection, recognition, and collective commitment as we uplift Coastside campesinos and honor their lasting impact and continued role as agents of change.

Rsvp with Sandra@ALASDreams.com

Tony Hoffman Award Now Accepting Nominations – Deadline 4/17

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The 2026 Tony Hoffman Award is now accepting nominations!

Awards will be held at the May Behavioral Health Commission meeting on May 6th, 2026. Deadline for nomination is April 17, 2026. 

Application can be found at https://www.smchealth.org/general-information/bhc-awards

About the award: 

The Tony Hoffman Community Mental Health Services Award recognizes individuals, professionals, businesses, and the media who have made an extraordinary difference in the lives of people with mental illness and the communities in which they live. Recognition is given for public education or advocacy to promote mental health awareness and needs or to address stigma; public education and services to provide housing and employment for persons with mental illness; creation of new and innovative programs or community support activities; recognition of fundraising for mental health activities or long-term financial support to mental health programs; or working for new mental health legislation. We also honor mental health consumers who, in their journey of recovery, are able to give back to their peers or the community. Awards are presented each May during Mental Health Month. 

Looking for Volunteers for the 2026 SMC Pride Celebration!

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As the months get warmer, we get closer to San Mateo County’s annual PRIDE celebration! This year’s theme is Unite, Empower, Resist, PRIDE 2026, and the celebration will be held on Saturday, June 13th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at San Mateo Central Park.

San Mateo County provides this family-friendly event to uplift our goal of unity and inclusion and show the resilience of the queer community. If you would like to share your time please consider volunteering to support the event. 

Any questions can be directed to Kai Thornton at Kthornton1@smcgov.org.

Chinese Health Initiative Co-Chair Inducted Into San Mateo County 2026 Women’s Hall of Fame

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News header-blue gradient   Jan. 15, 2026 For Immediate Release Five Leaders, One Honor: San Mateo County Names 2026 Women’s Hall of Fame Class   Redwood City – Raised by her immigrant mother, Alyson Suzuki learned early how difficult it can be for families to navigate schools and social services when information is not available in their own language or cultural context. Through years of supporting her family and later working in education and social services, she saw firsthand how those barriers can hold families back and limit opportunity. That experience shaped her commitment to changing how systems serve communities. Today, she leads efforts across San Mateo County to strengthen language access and build durable support systems for Asian families and other underserved communities. Suzuki’s efforts will be celebrated on March 6, when she is honored alongside four other inductees in the 2026 class of the San Mateo County Women’s Hall of Fame. The other honorees include leaders whose work has unfolded in city halls, community organizations and classrooms, as well as two high school students whose initiatives reflect the next generation of civic leadership. They are Andrea Jones, whose career centers on advancing the well-being of children and families; Terry Nagel, a community leader, former mayor and tireless volunteer in Burlingame; and two high school seniors, Danika Gonzalez Johnston of Half Moon Bay High and Amani Shroff of Carlmont High. Read More   Want to read more articles? View our Newsroom   Connect with us! facebooktwitterlinkedininstagramyoutubenextdoor   CEO-Comms logo                                         smc_news@smcgov.org

Board of Supervisors Special Meeting Tomorrow, 10/28

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The Board of Supervisors want to hear from you at a special meeting! What qualities do you want to see in the next Sheriff serving our community? How should the next Sheriff be selected?
Participate in-person or online. Find agenda and zoom information here when published at least 24 hours prior to meeting: https://sanmateocounty.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx💬 To share your input with the Board, please participate during the public comment period in person, via Zoom, or by emailing boardfeedback@smcgov.org.

La Junta de Supervisores quiere escuchar su opinión en una reunión especial.

  •  ¿Qué cualidades desea ver en el próximo Alguacil que prestará servicio a nuestra comunidad?
  • ¿Quién será nuestro próximo Alguacil?

Participe en persona o en línea. Encuentre la agenda y la información de Zoom aquí, cuando se publique al menos 24 horas antes de la reunión: https://sanmateocounty.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

💬 Para compartir su opinión con la Junta, participe durante el período de comentarios públicos en persona, a través de Zoom o enviando un correo electrónico a boardfeedback@smcgov.org

县监事会想在特别会议上听听您的意见！

·        我们下一任警长应该具备哪些特质？

·        下一任警长应该如何选出？可亲自或在线参与。会议议程及Zoom资料将于会议前至少24小时公布，请在此查阅:https://sanmateocounty.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

Interfaith National Day of Prayer Ignites Healing and Hope

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San Mateo County (SMC) Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) held its 10th annual Interfaith National Day of Prayer on October 11, 2025. This event brought together community and faith leaders from diverse traditions to promote healing, unity, and collective well-being across all spiritual and religious beliefs.

The event opened with a land acknowledgment by the Native and Indigenous Peoples Initiative (NIPI) and an ancestral blessing by Ramona Laughing Brook Webb. Elder Pam Ward Pious, Co-Chair of the Spirituality Initiative, shared her lived experience and poetry on the power of faith and resilience. Reverend Katie Goetz spoke about the day’s meaning and her congregation’s inclusive welcome message.

Dr. Maria Lorente-Foresti shared insights on the connection between spirituality and healing, highlighting how BHRS supports spiritual well-being through its policies and Health Equity Initiatives. Yolanda Ramirez, from the Office of Consumer and Family Affairs (OCFA), led a bilingual reading of the Serenity Prayer. Dr. Tia Bell closed with a guided meditation centering on peace and renewal.

A particularly moving part of the program was when courageous community members shared how faith has guided their recovery and wellness journeys. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Sam, Ebony, Riley, and Armando for their openness, hope, and resilience, which illuminated the path of healing and inspired others through faith and connection.

The SMC Interfaith National Day of Prayer reminded us that healing and hope strengthen when we unite in compassion and collective strength.

Written by Dr. Tia Bell, BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity

BHRS Transformation Journey Communications Survey

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Later this month, BHRS will launch a communications campaign to build awareness and excitement around the BHRS Transformation Journey, helping staff and external audiences to better understand the transformation and what it means in their roles. Prior to launching, we need your help in completing a survey to better understand current awareness of and feelings toward the Transformation and communications preferences across various audience groups. 

Understanding how staff and community members think, feel, and best engage with current messaging will allow BHRS to tailor the campaign to better meet their expectations, improve clarity, and drive meaningful engagement. ​Topics covered in the survey include:

  • Familiarity with the BHRS Transformation ​
  • Sentiment around BHRS Transformation ​
  • Effectiveness of key messages​
  • Preferred communications channels and messengers ​
  • Preferred tools and resources 

The survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Click on this link BHRS Transformation Journey – Communications Survey to complete the survey. If you have any questions or challenges accessing the survey link, please contact Sofia Recalde at srecalde@smcgov.org.

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