Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Blog

In May 2008, the US house of Representatives proclaimed July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month in recognition that:

• Improved access to mental health treatment and services and public awareness of mental illness are of paramount importance: and
• An appropriate month should be recognized to enhance public awareness of mental illness and mental illness among minorities.

Each year, NAMI California invites community members from all over the state to come together for the annual Minority Mental Health Month Capitol Advocacy Day.  Last year, 23 participants from diverse backgrounds and experience came together for this important day  to advocate for bills that would affect thousands of families and peers, conducting a total of 30 legislative office visits in one day!

Join NAMI and community members for their next Capitol Advocacy Day on July 18, 2017.  Learn more on how to apply to attend Minority Mental Health Capitol Advocacy Day.

The San Mateo County Health System is conducting a research project called Perception 360. We are seeking input from staff, stakeholders, and community members to learn about impressions of our work and mission, positive and negative.

The goal is to gather as much honest information as we can from the people whose lives we touch every day. Learning more about how the Health System is perceived will allow us to improve how we communicate and deliver our services.

This link will take you to an online survey that can be completed in about five minutes: www.surveymonkey.com/r/SMCResidents. All responses are confidential. We value your opinion and hope that you will share it with us. Please complete this survey by Friday, February 24.  

If you are a partner who works with the Health System (including Behavioral Health and Recovery Services), please use this link instead www.surveymonkey.com/r/SMCHealthPartners.

Learn about the health coverage options available for immigrants and their families in a presentation by a Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County LIBRE attorney, in both English and Spanish, on how you can qualify for low-cost health insurance in San Mateo County.

Print flyer

Half Moon Bay will be hosting a community workshop to discuss immigrant concerns, provide updated information, offer connections to resource, tools, and immigrant assistance, and help people understand and exercise their rights.  The workshop will cover:

• Discuss immigrant concerns
• Provide updated information
• Offer connections to resource, tools, and immigrant assistance
• Help people understand and exercise their rights

Wednesday, January 18, 2017, 6:30 pm.  Ted Adcock Community Center, 535 Kelly Avenue

See the Half Moon Bay workshop flyer for more info, refer to the FAQ (English, Spanish) which may help address some of these concerns and the Sheriff Offices’ policy on Immigration Enforcement.

Did you know that 1 in 5 teens and young adults lives with a mental health condition? The San Mateo County Libraries is sponsoring Teen Short Story Contest to increase awareness about mental health.

Write a short story that helps readers emphasize with a character who has a mental illness. Win awesome prizes such as lunch and feedback from a Youth Adult author, books & journals!   Last day to submit stories is January 17, 2017.  See the  brochure for details.