Category Archives: Be The One

2024 September Suicide Prevention Month + Week

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It’s officially Suicide Prevention Month, and next week is Suicide Prevention Week! Let’s use this time to give people hope and the strategies we all need to prevent suicide. We want to help undo the stigma. Next week, we’ll be posting content and resources so you can know the signs and break the ice when you need to talk.

Also, check out San Mateo County’s free events throughout September for Suicide Prevention Month. They’re free and open to the public, a mix of virtual and in-person. We’d love to see you! Visit our website for more information: https://smcsuicideprevention.com

Upcoming event:
💜9/10: Communal Candle Decorating Workshop at Belmont Library

Suicide Prevention Committee Newsletter – August 2024

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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
    • SMC Suicide Prevention Committee Special Session
      • Tuesday, August 20th, 2024 from 1:00pm – 2:30pm
      • Topics
        • San Mateo County Mobile Crisis Response Team presentation of crisis response
        • Suicide Prevention Month planning
      • Agenda
        • Q&A of crisis mobile Response Team presentation from1:15pm -1:45pm
        • Suicide Prevention Month planning from 1:45pm – 2:15pm
      • Registration Link
    • September 2024 Suicide Prevention Month Mini-Grant Application
  • Monthly Meetings
    • Upcoming: 08/06/24 – Suicide Prevention Month Planning – Toolkit Review Suicide Prevention Resource Promotion
    • Prior: 07/02/24 – Updates on suicide prevention resource website/ flyer and start planning for September Suicide Prevention Month

UPCOMING EVENTS & TRAININGS

  • 09/10/24
    • SAVE THE DATE
    • Further information TBD
    • In collaboration with Cloud Bell of the San Mateo County Library to facilitate World Suicide Prevention Day

NEWS

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

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESOURCES

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, 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 a world where they feel seen, heard, and supported.

Here are ways you can help:

  • Actively participate in the next SPC meeting:
    • Tuesday, August 6th, 2024, 1:30pm-3:00pm
  • Invite Someone New!
    • Ask new stakeholder, partner, agency, organization, community member to join the SPC mailing list.
  • Announcements?
    • Have an important commission meeting? Upcoming event you would like to highlight?

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

Join San Mateo County’s 2024 May Mental Health Month Planning Committee!

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Update: April 18 meeting moved to May 2. See info below.

We welcome you to join our 2024 May Mental Health Month Planning Committee meetings (schedule below and in attached flyer).

Please register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsfuqhqDgqGtRlg10zsFa3Aasvi2sayaqp.  

Day of the WeekDateTimeLocationFocus
ThursdayFeb 153:30-5:00pmZoomIntroduction & Measures of Success
ThursdayMarch 73:30-5:00pmZoomEvents & Advocacy
ThursdayMarch 283:30-5:00pmZoomCommunication & Outreach
ThursdayApril 18
May 2		3:30-5:00pmIn-person at 310 Harbor Blvd Bldg E, BelmontGroup Photo + Outreach Materials
ThursdayJune 63:30-5:00pmZoomDebrief and Appreciation

All except one of our meetings is scheduled to meet virtually. Please see above for details. You can find agenda, minutes and recordings at this website. If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, please let us know. We plan to share the meeting recordings and minutes in case anyone wants to catch up or review the meetings. Contact us for questions, comments and suggestions.

Please help us share this message or attached flyer on social media to help us spread the word.

Looking forward to collaborating with you!
Sylvia & Kristie
Co-Chairs, May Mental Health Month Planning Committee Meeting

2024-May-Mental-Health-Planning-Committee-Flyer-Download

2023 Suicide Prevention Month #ShareHopeTogether

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Version en Español abajo | 以下為中文版本 | 以下为中文版本

 Hello, everyone!  We are one month away from September Suicide Prevention Month (in addition to Recovery Happens Month)! 

San Mateo County will be joining statewide and nationwide efforts for the following Suicide Prevention Month (SPM) observances. SPM is one of the best times of the year where we can honor those affected by suicide and inspire action to prevent suicide.  

  • Suicide Prevention Month (September) 
  • National Suicide Prevention Week (September 10-16)  
  • World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10) 

The 2023 SPM statewide theme is “Share Hope Together”. The act of sharing, whether that be sharing hope, stories, time, resources, or experiences, can serve as a powerful tool in suicide prevention. 

This year, San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services’ Office of Diversity & Equity and San Mateo County Suicide Prevention Committee lead a variety of virtual and in-person events, advocacy days and communication campaign. For the latest updates on free events and resources, you can visit smchealth.org/SPM.  To help spread this message of hope, you can share this flyer and email to your clients/consumers, colleagues, friends, family and community!

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, contact our 24/7 CRISIS hotlines:              
Call 650-579-0350 or 988              
Text “Bay” to 741-741 or 988              
Visit SanMateoCrisis.org 

 ¡Saludos a todos!  

¡Estamos a un mes de Septiembre, Mes de la Prevención del Suicidio (además del Mes de la Recuperación Sucede)!  El Condado de San Mateo se unirá a los esfuerzos estatales y nacionales para los siguientes días de concientización del Mes de la Prevención del Suicidio (MPS). El MPS es uno de los mejores momentos del año en el que podemos honrar a los afectados por el suicidio e inspirar la prevención del suicidio. 

  • Mes de la Prevención del Suicidio (septiembre) 
  • Semana Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio (10 al 16 de septiembre) 
  • Día Mundial para la Prevención del Suicidio (10 de septiembre) 

El lema estatal del Mes de la Prevención del Suicidio de 2023 es “Compartir Esperanza Juntos”. El acto de compartir, ya sea compartiendo esperanza, historias, tiempo, recursos o experiencias, puede servir como una herramienta poderosa en la prevención del suicidio.  Este año, la Oficina de Diversidad y Equidad de los Servicios de la Salud del Comportamiento y Recuperación (BHRS) del Condado de San Mateo, y el Comité de Prevención del Suicidio del Condado de San Mateo organizarán una variedad de eventos virtuales y en persona, días de abogacía, y campañas de comunicación. Para obtener las últimas noticias y detalles sobre eventos y recursos gratuitos, puede visitar el sitio web, smchealth.org/SPM.   

¡Para ayudar a difundirestemensaje de esperanza, puede compartir este volante y correoelectrónico con sus clientes/consumidores, colegas, amigos, familiares y comunidad!

Si usted o alguien que conoce enfrenta retos emocionales o esta atravezando una crisis, contacte nuestras líneas de CRISIS de 24/7:              
Llame al 650-579-0350 o 988              
Envie Texto “Bay” al 741-741 o 988              
Visite SanMateoCrisis.org

 大家好！  
  
距離九月自殺預防月（以及恢復月）還有一個月！  
  
聖馬特奧聖馬刁縣將在接下來的自殺預防月 (SPM) 紀念活動中加入全州和全國的活動。 SPM 是一年中最好的時刻之一，我們可以向那些受自殺影響的人致敬，並激發人們採取行動來預防自殺。   

  • 預防自殺月（九月）  
  • 全國預防自殺週（9 月 10 日至 16 日）  
  • 世界預防自殺日（9 月 10 日）  
      

2023年SPM全州的主題是“一起分享希望”。分享的方式，無論是分享希望、故事、時間、資源還是經驗，都可以成為預防自殺的有力工具。     今年，聖馬刁縣行為健康與康復服務多元化與公平辦公室和聖馬刁縣自殺預防委員會領導了各種 虛擬和現場活動、宣傳日和溝通活動。有關免費活動和資源的最新更新，您可以訪問 smchealth.org/SPM。
  為了幫助傳播這一希望的信息，您可以將此傳單和電子郵件分享給您的客戶/消費者、同事、朋友、家人和社區！  

 如果您或您認識的⼈正在掙扎 或遇到危機，請聯繫我們的 24/7 危機熱線:
電話 650-579-0350 或者 988 (提供中⽂翻譯)
短訊 “Bay” 到 741-741 或者 988 (僅英語和西班⽛語)
查詢網址 SanMateoCrisis.org (僅限英語) 

 大家好！  

距离九月自杀预防月（以及恢复月）还有一个月！  圣马特奥圣马刁县将在接下来的自杀预防月 (SPM) 纪念活动中加入全州和全国的活动。 SPM 是一年中最好的时刻之一，我们可以向那些受自杀影响的人致敬，并激发人们采取行动来预防自杀。  
•              预防自杀月（九月） 
•              全国预防自杀周（9 月 10 日至 16 日） 
•              世界预防自杀日（9 月 10 日）

2023年SPM全州的主题是“一起分享希望”。分享的方式，无论是分享希望、故事、时间、资源还是经验，都可以成为预防自杀的有力工具。   今年，圣马刁县行为健康与康复服务多元化与公平办公室和圣马刁县自杀预防委员会领导了各种 虚拟和现场活动、宣传日和沟通活动。有关免费活动和资源的最新更新，您可以访问 smchealth.org/SPM。 

为了帮助传播这一希望的信息，您可以将此传单和电子邮件分享给您的客户/消费者、同事、朋友、家人和社区！ 

如果您或您认识的⼈正在挣扎 或遇到危机，请联系我们的 24/7 危机热线:
电话 650-579-0350 或者 988 (提供中⽂翻译)
短讯 “Bay” 到 741-741 或者 988 (仅英语和西班⽛语)
查询网址 SanMateoCrisis.org (仅限英语) 

Caffeinate and Conversate with Canepa: A Discussion on Health Equity

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For a second time the San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) was honored to have the opportunity to support and participate in Supervisor, David Canepa’s “Caffeinate and Conversate with Canepa” series that was held on Saturday, March 25th in Daly City. 

On this occasion the discussion topic was centered on the advancement of health equity and addressing the gaps impeding some communities in attaining services. ODE Director, Dr. Maria Lorente-Foresti and Frances Lobos (ODE Community Health Planner) shared how ODE works to advance behavioral health equity in multiple ways; one is by creating space and opportunities for community members to engage, be active, and provide feedback about their needs via programs like the Health Ambassador Program, Health Equity Initiatives and Parent Project. Secondly, ODE supports BHRS to provide information & services in a culturally responsive ways, which may look like hosting trainings in our county threshold languages and working in collaboration with community partners to provide culturally responsive services and interventions. All participants were provided with information about how to obtain BHRS services and other important community resources.  

In addition to ODE, attendees of the event heard about broader efforts from Lisa Tealer, Executive Director of the Bay Area Community Health Advisory Council (BACHAC), Marmi Bermudez, Senior Manager for Health Coverage Unit and Jessica Ho, Government and Community Affairs Manager at North East Medical Services (NEMS, and even an impromptu testimonial from Health Ambassador, Michael Lim, on the impact of accessing support services. All exemplifying that, as Lisa put it, “it takes a village, to support a village.” 

 To learn more about David Canepa’s past and upcoming events, you can visit his social media pages…  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidCanepaCA/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidcanepa?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidcanepa/?hl=en 

2022 May Mental Health Month #SMCTakeAction4MH

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Hello, 

As many of you know, May is Mental Health Month or, as we also like to call it, the lime greenest time of the year! This year’s theme, adopted from the statewide campaign, is #SMCTakeAction4MH. The theme encourages everyone to take actionable steps to address mental health and substance use matters. Over the past two years, the pandemic has been especially challenging for many of us. Your mental health is more important than ever. Throughout the month, learn ways you can take action to improve your communities’ mental wellness!

Each year we partner with local agencies and community members to offer free events throughout San Mateo County. This year, we are offering both in-person and virtual events!

To find our full calendar of events, learn ways to get involved, and find behavioral health resources. Visit our website here: SMCMentalHealthMonth.org.

Please promote Mental Health Month with your communities and networks by sharing our promo flyer and utilizing our virtual backgrounds.

In community, 

Kristie & Sylvia
Co-Chairs, May Mental Health Month Planning Committee
Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Office of Diversity and Equity

Sylvia Tang | She/Her/她
stang@smcgov.org | 650-578-7165

Kristie Lui | She/Her/她
kflui@smcgov.org

Community Stigma Baseline Survey: Mental Health & Substance Misuse Knowledge, Beliefs & Behavior

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StigmaBaselineCoverPhoto

Many (if not all of us) know someone facing a mental health or substance misuse issue. However, many people do not get the help and treatment they need because of the stigma around these issues and fear others will judge them. San Mateo County is dedicated to reducing this stigma so that everyone gets the help they need and, ultimately, are able to live longer and better lives.

While we know stigma is a major barrier, how pervasive is such stigma in our San Mateo County community? Are our current stigma reduction programs reducing this stigma overtime?

To answer these questions, San Mateo County launched and completed a Community Stigma Baseline Survey around mental health and substance misuse knowledge, beliefs and behavior. The San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Office of Diversity and Equity commissioned an independent research firm, Strata Research Inc., to implement a baseline survey among San Mateo County residents who were at least 18 years of age. This 15-minute survey was completed by 450 residents in San Mateo County during March 2020. This survey built off of the statewide mental health stigma survey conducted by RAND Corporation.

Key findings from the Community Stigma Baseline Survey are listed below. The Executive Summary  and Full Report have more information on each domain, differences by demographics (e.g. age, gender, race/ethnicity) and general information about the survey.

Mental Health

  • One-third of San Mateo County adults (36%) have had a mental health issue.
  • Among those who have had a mental health issue, almost two-thirds (72%) sought treatment.
  • San Mateo County adults scored highest on Mental Health Inclusive Behavior across the three domains used to assess overall knowledge, beliefs and behavior, followed closely by Mental Health Knowledge.

MentalHealthFigure

Substance Misuse

  • One in ten San Mateo County adults (13%) have had a substance misuse issue.
  • Among those who have had a substance misuse issue, one-half (55%) sought treatment.
  • San Mateo County adults scored highest on the Substance Misuse Knowledge domain.

SubstanceMisuseFigure

To learn more about current stigma reduction programs, please visit www.smchealth.org/endstigma.

To learn more about mental health and substance misuse treatment and services, please visit www.smchealth.org/bhrs.

Mini-Grants & Call for Events – Applications Due Wed, Aug 26 | 2020 Suicide Prevention Month

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SPMMiniGrantEventsFlyer

September is Suicide Prevention Month (SPM), which includes National Suicide Prevention Week (September 8-14) and World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10). SPM aims to empower everyone in the community to prevent suicide.

For 2020, San Mateo County and partners are promoting the theme of “Stronger Together” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms that studies show that connectedness is overall an important protective factor for suicide and states, “[c]onnectedness between individuals can lead to increased frequency of social contact, lowered levels of social isolation or loneliness, and an increased number of positive relationships.” 2020 has been a year of unprecedented challenge, and yet we have seen how communities can come together in innovative and supportive ways.

Each year, the San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Office of Diversity & Equity and Suicide Prevention Committee publishes web page of events which promotes the SPM events broadly across local providers, partners and community in San Mateo County. We will also be offering mini-grants for selected recipients.

  • Apply for Call for Events & Mini-Grant: If you would like your event listed on the web page AND to be considered for a mini-grant, please complete this application by Wednesday, August 26th.
  • Apply for Call for Events ONLY: If you would like your event listed on the web page ONLY (NO mini-grant), please email Zena Andreani (zena.andreani@star-vista.org) no later than Friday, August 28th.

SPM event details and updates will be posted at http://www.smchealth.org/SuicidePrevention.

California Clubhouse is seeing GREEN!

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MHAM Wear Green!

Message from California Clubhouse.

“California Clubhouse is seeing GREEN! We are excited to celebrate and show our support this Mental Health Awareness Month by launching our YouTube channel where we will post videos with the theme “Each Mind Matters: Express Yourself”. This month, we are working with our community to post 30 seconds videos “focusing on how expressing ourselves in different way can raise awareness about mental health.”

Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIdMIrih8dHx8or-YGT348Q

We are asking our greater San Mateo County community to post #ExpressYourself videos to raise awareness and break down stigma – 30 seconds is all you need! Post on our Facebook and/or Twitter pages and share with family and friends!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalClubhouse/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CalClubhouse

Stay safe and healthy – we look forward for seeing you at the various Virtual Events throughout the county this month. 

– California Clubhouse”

Express Your Well-Being

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Self-Care Bingo Insta Story Template FINAL

This week, you can Express Your Well-Being and #ExpressYourself by attending/sharing one of San Mateo County’s FREE and virtual May Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) events listed at bit.ly/2020mham (please note space is limited!).

Maintaining your well-being through regular self-care prevents burnout, reduces the negative effects of stress, and helps you refocus – and it doesn’t have to cost a thing.

However, making time to focus on your well-being isn’t always easy. Self-care isn’t about being selfish or getting a reward — it is a critical part of maintaining our well-being. As author Brianna Wiest says: “Self-care should not be something we resort to because we are so absolutely exhausted that we need some reprieve from our own relentless internal pressure. True self-care is not salt baths and chocolate cake, it is making the choice to build a life you don’t need to regularly escape from.”

Real self-care is a thoughtful practice that builds well-being over time. Here are some resources to help build this practice and express your well-being:

May Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) Coordinated by MHAM Planning Committee and Office of Diversity and Equity.

#BeTheOneSMC to #ExpressYourself
#EachMindMatters


If you or a loved one are in need of mental health local support for mental health and substance use issues, contact these 24/7 numbers:  

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 
  • Starvista Crisis Hotline (San Mateo County): 650-579-0350 
  • ACCESS Call Center (San Mateo County Behavioral Health Services): 800-686-0101 
  • California Peer-Run Warmline: 855-845-7415 

 

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