Category Archives: Behavioral Health and Recovery Services

Photovoice Wellness Series – Starting 8/6/25

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Hello,

I am excited to announce that in recognition of National Wellness Month, we will be conducting a Photovoice series throughout the month of August and into early September. National Wellness Month reminds us to promote self-care and healthy practice that enhances one’s mental and emotional wellbeing. For this reason, the session will be focused asking participants how they foster wellness for their behavioral health. By sharing stories and photos related to wellness, we emphasize the importance of taking care of oneself just in time for Suicide Prevention month in September.  

Sessions will occur from 4:30 to 6:30 pm in-person at 310 Harbor Blvd, Building E, Belmont on August 6th, 13th, 20th and the last session will occur on September 3rd.

To register, interested participants can fill out an application via this link, or contact me via email my at Nkelleher@smcgov.org. If you have any questions or would like to refer any clients or community members, please do not hesitate to reach out to me! We will close the application once we have confirmed a maximum of 10 participants. In order to participate in this series, participants must be committed to attending all 4 sessions. 

Please see the flyer below for more details.  

PV Wellness SessionDownload

2025 Parent Project Fall Course – Spanish

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Hello, we are excited to announce that beginning on Wed, 9/17/25, San Mateo County Sheriffs Office’s Community Alliance to Recognize our Neighborhoods (CARON) will be hosting an in-person Spanish Parent Project class at the Half Moon Bay Library, 620 Correas St., Half Moon Bay. This course is completely free to the community, and includes free childcare and dinner.

If you are interested in registering in this course, please contact the facilitator, José Luis Aguirre via jaguirre@smcgov.org or 650-599-9107. 

PP CARON Fall 25 Spanish class 9.17.25Download

Photovoice Pop-Up at Pride Celebration Uplifts LGBTQ+ Voices

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On Saturday, June 14th, the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Office of Diversity and Equity’s Pride Initiative hosted their 13th annual Pride event for Pride month. At this event, the Storytelling Photovoice program hosted their first “Photovoice Pop-Up” to celebrate Pride month. The Pop-Up was inspired by San Mateo County Office of Epidemiology and Evaluation’s (OEE) recent study on LGBTQ+ Health. The study found that the LGBTQ+ community is one to experience the biggest health and social disparities . According to their findings, the 29.4% of the SMC LGBTQ+ community has experienced difficulty getting to see a physician in the past year. In addition, 53.9% of the SMC LGBTQ+ community would not know where to access treatment for drug related problems if needed (OEE). The study also found that 56.6% of the LGBTQ+ community has experienced symptoms of depression in the last 2 years. Overall, the OEE’s study concluded that, “Historically, LGBTQ+ individuals have experienced high levels of discrimination, stigma, and barriers to competent health care, which are still impacting the health of this community today.”  

In an effort to address the behavioral health barriers, equity, and stigma experienced by the SMC LGBTQ+ groups, this Pride Photovoice activity encouraged all Pride event attendees and the larger LGBTQ+ community to answer the questions “What does LGBTQ+ wellness mean to you?” and/or “Celebrating Pride is important because…”. Participants could simply write their responses to these questions, or they could pair their response with a corresponding polaroid picture they took at the event. This Pride Photovoice Pop-Up provided participants an outlet to amplify behavioral needs, while learning about BHRS Pride services that are aligned with the LGBTQ+ community. In sharing one’s story, LGBTQ+ community and all Pride attendees had the opportunity to advocate and amplify LGBTQ+ representations it relates to behavioral health needs, destigmatizing one’s behavioral health condition, all while promoting self-affirmation and empowerment during Pride month and beyond. When a participant finished their Photovoice, they had the chance to hang their final project at our booth for other viewers to see, ultimately inspiring and encouraging other Pride attendees to participate in the Photovoice Pop-Up booth. When attendees left the event, they had the chance to take home their final photovoice to keep, or they donated their final Photovoice to the Photovoice program for other clients to see at our office in Belmont.  

Overall, this Pop-Up was a success in amplifying the inequities endured by the LGBTQ+ community. The more that people participated and hung their photovoices, the more that other attendees were drawn to the booth and wanted to participate themselves. Unlike our usual Photovoice, we had a lot of participation from children/youth and their parents. It was immensely impactful to see younger generations share their answers to these very important framing questions. We are thankful to everyone who came to our pop-up, and we look forward to implementing this type of Photovoice activity within other Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Office of Diversity and Equity events.  

To see more photovoices from this pop-up, visit our ODE Storytelling webpage. If you are interested in partaking in a full 4-part Photovoice session, please contact our Storytelling Program Coordinator, Nicoletta Kelleher at nkelleher@smcgov.org.  

Suicide Prevention Committee Newsletter – July 2025

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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

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
Read more

2025 PRIDE Celebration Was Louder and Prouder Than Ever!

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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.

The day began with a community filled parade through downtown San Mateo, culminating in Central Park. Marchers, county leaders, community organizations, and allies filled the streets with affirming banners, rainbow flags, and cheers, demonstrating unity and inclusion.

The celebration continued in Central Park with live performances, wellness activities, food trucks, and roughly 78 booths comprised of local vendors and community resource tables. Free, family-friendly, and sober, the event offered a welcoming space for all ages, featuring children’s programming, intergenerational activities, and pet-assisted therapy to promote connection and well-being.

Organized by the San Mateo County Pride Initiative within Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, the event reflected the County’s commitment to fostering equity, inclusion, and belonging. It was not only a celebration, but a space for community education, empowerment, and visibility.

Pride is more than a celebration, it’s a protective factor for behavioral health. LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly youth, face elevated risks of depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicidality due to stigma and discrimination. Events like this offer affirming, trauma-informed spaces that build resilience and promote wellness.

By championing visibility, decreasing stigma and sharing behavioral health resources, San Mateo County Pride strengthens community bonds and advances its vision for everyone in San Mateo County to live longer and healthier lives.

Written by Dr. Maria Lorente Foresti, Directors of BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity

Suicide Prevention Committee Newsletter – May 2025

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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

Monthly Meetings

Read more

6/14 – SMC Pride Celebration Looking for Volunteers

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Hi, all, 

Please share this with your networks. 

Interested to give back to your community? Volunteer for the 2025 Pride Celebration happening on Saturday, June 14th!  We can use all the help we can get. Volunteer opportunities can include decorating, park monitoring, general set-up, entertainment assistance and more.

To volunteer, fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1MQ3myT3YkrKYUOwgmuNwq7_eZG-eqRcI-U1yN9ptE3qjQQ/viewform?usp=header

More info about the Pride Celebration here: https://www.smcpridecelebration.com/

5/17 – Rooted in Wellness | Phoenix Garden

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Join us for a rejuvenating morning of community wellness as we connect with nature and each other at the Phoenix Garden.  Begin your day with a peaceful walking meditation through our lavender labyrinth, followed by a gentle yoga session to awaken your body and mind.  Get your hands in the soil with guided gardening activities, including planting your own take-home garden treasure and contributing to the beauty of our shared space through weeding and mulching.  As we conclude our time together, gather in a spirited drumming circle to celebrate our collective energy and the therapeutic benefits of gardening for wellbeing

Date: Sat, 5/17
Time: 9AM-1PM
Location: 222 Paul Scannell Drive, San Mateo (Across from Youth Services Center)
For more info, email Regina Moreno at RMoreno@smcgov.org.

Show Your Support for Mental Health Month with your Virtual Background

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We are two weeks away from 2025 May Mental Health Month!

What’s an easy way to let your team and others know that May is Mental Health Month? Promote it with your virtual background! Download them at smchealth.org/post/social-media-0

💚 Event happening next week:  

Tues, 4/22: Board of Supervisors proclaim May as Mental Health Month
Join us in proclaiming May as Mental Health Month! Show your support by wearing lime green and/or making a public comment. 
Time: 9:00am – 11:00am
Location: 500 County Center Chambers, 1st Fl, Redwood City, CA, 94063 or via Zoom here.

For more event details and our full list of free and public events and mental health resources, visit SMCHealth.org/MHM. 

BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity Internship – Deadline 5/2/25

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The BHRS ODE Internship Program is designed to provide work opportunities and practical learning experiences for undergraduate and graduate students to enhance their academic learning and expose them to public service at the county level. For the 2025-2026 internship program, we are looking to extend training opportunities to two interns.

All interns will have the opportunity to support the BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity (across programs) and participate in a Health Equity Initiative. At the end of the internship term, each intern will participate in sharing a presentation with the BHRS ODE staff describing their experience and the work they did during their time as an intern. For each program area, sample tasks are listed below. Please note – some programs may have limited capacity to support students. We make every effort to match the student with their preferred program of interest, yet some programs may not have the capacity to accommodate every request.

Qualifications:
Required
To be eligible for this program, you must meet the following requirements:

  • An undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in an accredited college or university. Recent graduates (up to one year after graduation) are also eligible.
  • Available to work 20 hybrid hours per week. This includes the ability to work from home and at the BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity (in Belmont, CA) beginning the week of September 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
  • NOT a current employee of San Mateo County.
  • A requirement to work 8-hours in the office weekly and attend mandatory BHRS ODE staff meetings, in person, on the 1st & 3rd Fridays of each month. (Staff meetings count toward your 8-hour requirement).
  • Must have reliable transportation
  • When responding to the supplemental questions in the Survey Monkey application, please share your personal experience using real life examples supported by your work and/or life experiences.
  • Acceptance of the BHRS ODE internship is contingent upon completing a San Mateo County Human Resource application and passing a criminal background check.

Desired
We would strongly prefer a candidate with the following qualities:

  • Passion for advancing equity, wellness, and recovery for culturally diverse and marginalized communities and our workforce
  • Personal experience with or knowledge of inequities related to behavioral health
  • Experience working with culturally diverse and marginalized communities
  • Multicultural and/or multilingual skills
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • Strong organizational and detail-oriented skills
  • Ability to prioritize time-sensitive assignments
  • Ability to work well in teams and independently
  • Ability to offer flexible hours including occasional evenings and weekends

Term and Stipend
This BHRS ODE Internship runs from September to June and is paid through a stipend of $14,000 (before taxes) funded by the Mental Health Services Act. Interns must commit to working 20-hours per week for the BHRS ODE division from the week of September 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Interns are required to remain active for the full 20-hours per week in the BHRS ODE internship program and complete the entire term of the agreement. The stipend is considered taxable income.

How to Apply
Complete the application and supplemental questions. Only completed applications will be reviewed. If you would like an alternative way to apply or have any accessibility requests, please email HS_BHRS_Internships@smcgov.org for assistance. In addition to completing the application and supplemental questions, please upload your cover letter and resume after the references section below. Applications must be submitted by May 2, 2025. Only completed applications will be reviewed. Please contact us if you do not receive a confirmation that we received your application.

Application link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ODE25-26

About the County of San Mateo Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS)
At the County of San Mateo, we take pride in the way our employees bring together their lived experience, diverse backgrounds, and perspectives to serve our community’s needs. The County of San Mateo Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) provides a broad spectrum of services for children, youth, families, adults, and older adults for the prevention, early intervention, and treatment of behavioral health concerns. The county is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

About the BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity
The BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) advances health equity in behavioral health outcomes of marginalized communities throughout the County of San Mateo. BHRS ODE is dedicated to addressing health inequities and stigma in the areas of behavioral health while supporting wellness and recovery. BHRS ODE works to achieve these goals by promoting culturally and trauma-informed practices, which is rooted in principles of social justice. To learn more about BHRS ODE’s work, visit: www.smchealth.org/bhrs/ODE.

ODE Intern Flyer 25-26 FINAL (1)Download
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