Category Archives: Behavioral Health and Recovery Services

2025 May Mental Health Month: Mental Health as a Continuum

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  • May is Mental Health Month Mental Health as a Continuum Learn more at SMChealth.org/mhm
  • Learn more at SMChealth.org/mhm
  • Learn more at SMChealth.org/mhm

Did you know untreated mental health and substance use conditions have been tied to lower life expectancy of up to 25 years? Thankfully these conditions are treatable, and people who have mental health and substance use conditions can recover and lead full and meaningful lives. 

This year, San Mateo County and California’s theme for May Mental Health Month theme is Mental Health as a Continuum. This theme challenges the binary idea of “healthy” versus “unhealthy” mental health, normalizing the wide range of mental health needs and options for support. Let’s come together to embrace and accept the full spectrum of their well-being.   

About Mental Health Month: 

Each year, San Mateo County joins our state and country in celebrating Mental Health Month (MHM) in May. MHM is one of the best times of the year to increase awareness and inspire action to reduce stigma against those with 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.   

Learn more about free events and resources at smchealth.org/MHM.  

Volunteer for the 2025 Pride Celebration

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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/

2025 San Mateo County Trans Week of Visibility Celebration: Be-You-Tiful

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San Mateo County (SMC) celebrated and recognized Trans Week of Visibility (TWOV) from March 25th to March 31st, 2025. The week’s events kicked off with a workshop on legal name and gender changes on March 26th, followed by a Trans 101 workshop, the Becoming More Visibly You: Gender Affirmation workshop, a mixer for families and trans kids, and concluded with the Be-You-Tiful Celebration for TWOV. These events were hosted by the incredible staff at the San Mateo County Pride Center and supported by numerous partners and community members demonstrating solidarity and allyship.

The closing celebration was filled with laughter, unity, and new connections, all while enjoying the lively and artistic rhythms of DJ Ambrozia. The evening also featured an impactful and heartfelt speech by Dr. Jei Africa, Director of SMC Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. Dr. Africa highlighted the significance of TWOV, the healing power of community, and the role of love and support in overcoming the most challenging times. His words resonated deeply with everyone in the audience and inspired continued advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community.

Data shows that in 2022, LGBTQ+ individuals reported experiencing the lowest number of days in the past month where they felt healthy and full of energy. They also had the highest number of days in which their mental health was not good, the highest prevalence of self-reported mental or emotional problems, and the highest experience of depression lasting two or more years, compared to others across age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, and poverty levels.

This event not only highlighted the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community but also showcased the unwavering support and valuable resources available in San Mateo County.

The Pride Center’s drop-in hours are Tuesday through Thursday, from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Pride Center is located at 1021 S. El Camino Real in San Mateo, CA 94402.

2025 San Mateo County Cesar Chavez Celebration: Estamos Contigo

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On March 28, 2025, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services’ Office of Diversity and Equity, had the honor of partnering with Ayudando Latinos a Sonar (ALAS) and Voices of Recovery to host the San Mateo County Cesar Chavez Event. The event celebrated Cesar Chavez’s unwavering commitment to advocating for the rights of people of color, ensuring they have the dignity and fairness to earn, live, and work.

Inspired by Chavez’s legacy, this event aimed to advance equity by enhancing access to community services, especially behavioral health and recovery services, for the Latine community and other marginalized groups. The event also sought to inspire participants to continue Chavez’s work and efforts for equity under this year’s theme: “Building Solidarity and Creating Change / Construyendo solidaridad y creando cambio.”

This year’s event was an act of love, gratitude, and respect for our San Mateo County farm workers, who work tirelessly in all conditions to support our communities. The program featured impactful presentations, including remarks from Sandra Sension, ALAS Farmworker and Essential Worker Program Director; Supervisor Ray Mueller; the ALAS Mental Health Team; Dr. Tia Bell, BHRS Health Equity Coordinator; and others, who emphasized the profound impact of our farmworkers and expressed our deep gratitude for their dedication.

Approximately 250 participants enjoyed live music, visited behavioral health resource tables, learned about our BHRS Health Ambassador Program, and savored a delicious meal provided by Fattoria E Mare, Half Moon Bay.

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

2025 Tony Hoffman Award now accepting nominations – Deadline 4/28

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Hello, 

Please see below the nomination form for the 2025 Tony Hoffman Awards. Award will be held at the end of our May BHC meeting. Deadline for nomination is April 28th. 

See some of last year’s recipients!

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. 

Tony Hoffman Application_2025Download

Two Job Openings at CoastPride Half Moon Bay

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Please see job openings below for an executive director and clinical director at CoastPride in Half Moon Bay.

About CoastPride:

CoastPride is an organization created by our local community in San Mateo County to improve the support, visibility and awareness of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) individuals and families.

CoastPride embraces allies to create an affirming and welcoming community that nurtures individuals of all ages, ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression to live to their full potential.

We believe that together we will continue to make the Coastside, from Pacifica to Pescadero, a kind and safe place for the LGBTQ+ community at large.
Learn more about them at https://coastpride.org/.

allcoveHalfMoonBay ClinicalDirector_JD_250311Download
Executive Director_JD_240719 (1)Download

4/15 – Psychiatric Emergency Services Panel Webinar

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Hello,

Join us on Tuesday, April 15th for the Psychiatric Emergency Services Panel webinar from 1:30PM-3:00PM.

Together with Mills-Peninsula Medical Center and San Mateo Medical Center, this webinar will highlight suicide prevention work being done through hospital Psychiatric Emergency Services and will highlight community partnership efforts for prevention advancement.

This event will be conducted in English. If you would like to request interpretation, please contact Sylvia Tang at stang@smcgov.org or 650-208-5799 (voicemail or text) by Tuesday, April 8th.

If you or someone you know is in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, you can reach out for 24/7 free confidential crisis support: Call 650-579-0350 (San Mateo County Crisis Hotline) call/text or 988 (National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or visit sanmateocrisis.org.

Hola,

Únase a nosotros el martes 15 de abril para el seminario web del Panel de Servicios de Emergencia Psiquiátrica de 1:30 p.m. a 3:00 p.m.

Junto con Mills-Peninsula Medical Center y San Mateo Medical Center, este seminario web destacará el trabajo de prevención del suicidio que se realiza a través de los Servicios de Emergencia Psiquiátrica del hospital y destacará los esfuerzos de asociaciónes comunitarias para el avance de la prevención.

Este evento se realizará en inglés. Si desea solicitar interpretación, comuníquese con Sylvia Tang a stang@smcgov.org o al 650-208-5799 (mensaje de voz o mensaje de texto) antes del martes 8 de abril.

Si usted o alguien que conoce está en crisis suicida o angustia emocional, puede solicitar apoyo confidencial y gratuito las 24 horas, los 7 días de la semana: llame al 650-579-0350 (Línea Directa de Crisis del Condado de San Mateo), llame/envíe un mensaje de texto o al 988 (Línea Nacional de Vida para el Suicidio y las Crisis) o visite sanmateocrisis.org.

你好,

请于 4 月 15 日星期二下午 1:30 至 3:00 前来 參加我們的精神科緊急服務小組網路研討會。

此次網路研討會將與 Mills-Peninsula Medical Center 和 San Mateo Medical Center 一起重點介紹透過醫院精神科急診部門進行的自殺預防工作，並將重點放在社區合作夥伴關係在預防方面所做的努力。

本次活動將以英語進行。如果您需要口譯服務，請在 4 月 8 日星期二之前電郵 stang@smcgov.org 或 簡訊 650-208-5799 聯繫 Sylvia Tang。

如果您或您認識的人處於輕生危機或情緒困擾，您可以尋求 24/7 免費保密危機支援：致電 650-579-0350（聖馬刁縣危機熱線）電話/簡訊或 988（國家輕生和危機生命熱線）或造訪 sanmateocrisis.org。您可以要求口譯員。

3.17 Draft Psychiatric Emergency Services Panel Webinar 2025Download

Job Opportunity – Family Peer Support Specialist I/II

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The BHRS Central Youth Team is looking for a well-qualified individual for the position of Family Peer Support Specialist I/II-Behavioral Health-Spanish Speaking Required to, under immediate supervision, provide support, wellness/recovery and educational services to family/caregivers of behavioral health and recovery program services; participate as a member of our service provision teams; and perform related duties as assigned.

The Family Peer Support Specialist will provide peer support and help families of youth (ages 6-18) access community resources that promote wellness, resiliency, and recovery. As a full-time team member, they will collaborate with families and staff to develop strength-based treatment goals, support families as their loved one enters mental health treatment, and facilitate psychoeducational or support groups. The role includes some evening hours (5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.) as needed and involves sharing personal experiences when appropriate. The Family Peer Support Specialist will work closely with the Central Youth Team, which includes clinicians and psychiatrists.

For detailed information about the position requirements and how to apply, please visit: Job Opportunities | Join the County of San Mateo!

2025 Black History Month Wellness Event Pays Homage to Ancestors

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On Saturday, February 15th, the African American Community Initiative (AACI) celebrated their 7th annual Black History Month celebration at Eastside College Preparatory Academy in East Palo Alto. This event paid homage to the African American/Black ancestors, specifically highlighting African Americans devout contributions to our American history through labor (the national theme was “African Americans & Labor: Paying homage to our ancestors”). The event featured guest presentations from our newest San Mateo County Board Member, Lisa Gauthier, who represents District 4 (East Palo Alto), Behavioral Health, and Recovery Services (BHRS) Director, Dr. Jei Africa, and BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity Director, Dr. Maria Lorente-Foresti. Attendees were provided history about African American/Black representation in predominately white work fields, as seen in the video by Misty Copeland, who shared her lived experiences as a Black Principal Ballet Dancer. In addition, attendees learned about the Port Chicago explosion in Suisan Bay and the 6888 Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-Black female unit of the United States Army during World War II. Finally, the event celebrated the work of Maurice Goodman, the President of the San Mateo County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) – the oldest and largest civil rights organization in the United States!

AACI closed out the event with an introduction to the Domini Hoskins Black History Museum and Learning Center in Redwood City, as well as providing some trivia and raffles to the community; all questions related to African American/Black individuals who contributed to American history and those who contributed to San Mateo County workforce. By celebrating Black History, AACI aims to reduce behavioral health treatment disparities, support an inclusive and welcoming environment for our clients and workforce and reduce the stigma around behavioral health challenges with the intention of creating more equitable behavioral health outcomes for our African American and Black community. The African American Community Initiative would like to thank all their guests and presenters for coming together and rejoicing in African American/Black History through music, community resources, speakers, and guest presenters. The African American Community Initiative hopes to see you all for their next event in June for Juneteenth!

To learn more about the African American Community Initiative, or to become a member, click here!

3/26 & 3/27- Stanford Health Equity Conference

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Hello,

Join San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services for the 3rd Annual Stanford Mental Health Equity & Advocacy Round Table Conference.

The event will feature a mix of expert speakers, policy workshops, and networking opportunities for students, psychiatry trainees, community mental health care providers, clinicians, community mental health leaders, researchers, and clinical faculty.

Date: Wednesday, 3/26 & Thursday, 3/27
Time: 1PM-7PM both days
Location: 3/26 in Redwood City, 3/27 at Stanford University

RSVP link can be found in the flyer below.

For more info, contact Dr. Megan Tan at megan.tan@stanford.edu or Dr. Brendan Scherer at BScherer@smcgov.org.

RSVP – 2025 MHEARTDownload

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