Category Archives: Behavioral Health and Recovery Services

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

Suicide Prevention Committee Newsletter – March 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

  • Suicide Prevention Committee is working on three projects. Each project addresses one of the goals prioritized for 2025. More details in next SPC meeting.
    • GOAL 1: Enhance Visible Leadership and Networked Partnerships 
    • GOAL 2: Increase Development and Coordination of Suicide Prevention Resources  
    • GOAL 3: Advance Data Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Monthly Meetings
    • Upcoming Meeting: Tuesday, 03/04/2025 1:30pm – 3pm
      • Topic: Resource Flyer, “I Am Suicide Prevention” Video Series and Volunteer Opportunities
    • Prior Meeting: Tuesday, 01/07/2025 1:30pm – 3pm
      • Topic: Resource Flyer
  • 2025 Meeting Schedule

UPCOMING EVENTS & TRAININGS

Pacific Islander Initiative of San Mateo County Presents: Adult Health First Aid Certification
(https://smcbhrsblog.org/2025/02/13/3-22-adult-mental-health-first-aid-hosted-by-pacific-islander-initiative/)

This important session will equip you with valuable knowledge and practical skills to support someone who may be facing mental health or substance abuse challenges.

The training covers the initial steps to take when you encounter someone in need and provides you with effective tools to help navigate these situations with confidence and care.

It’s a great opportunity to learn how to provide the right support when it’s needed most.

Registration link: bit.ly/MHSA-TCIP
Le Maota, 833 Mahler Road, Burlingame, CA
Saturday, March 22nd, 2025
9am – 6pm

Read more

Storytelling Program Relaunches with a Focus on Housing

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The Storytelling Photovoice Program kicked off their re-launch session with a Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Office of Diversity and Equity’s (BHRS ODE) Photovoice Housing Project. The ODE Storytelling Program empowers community members to share their stories of recovery and wellness to heal and to address issues within their communities. Through the Photovoice sessions, participants highlighted housing inequities and were able to amplify their experiences while narrating the barriers associated with loss of housing, their journey towards receiving housing, or how not having housing has impacted their everyday lives. In doing this, participants shared their personal stories, as well as their journey to recovery with mental health and substance use challenges and how this creates additional barriers in obtaining stable housing. 

The four-part training was hosted by BHRS’ Senior Community Housing Specialist and BHRS ODE’S African American Community Initiative’s (AACI) co-chair Lee Harrison and ODE’s longstanding BHRS Health Ambassador, John Butler. Our facilitators fostered a safe and supportive environment for participants and encouraged folx to tell their stories from their own personal lens – an opportunity not many community members have. On the fourth session, or graduation day, participants invited guests to view the group’s final Photovoice projects. In addition, we were joined by housing experts, Kelsey Dattilo the BHRS Housing Programs Supervisor and BHRS Housing Programs Manager, Mariana Rocha, on our graduation for our final Photovoice gallery viewing!  

According to our viewer data, all of our guests strongly agreed that as a result of viewing these Photovoices, they learned how mental health and substance use condition impact lives. Additionally, all guests strongly agreed that as a result of viewing the Photovoice’s, they plan to act in ways that are more supportive of people with behavioral health challenges. Finally, all of our guests strongly agreed that sharing stories through the Photovoice project can inspire other community members to do the same. 

Keep an eye out for these Housing Photovoice projects as we will be displaying them across BHRS sites and clinics. To learn more about the Storytelling Photovoice program or to host a session amongst your clients or team, please reach out to the Storytelling Program Coordinator, Nicoletta Kelleher! Stay tuned for more Photovoice projects!  

Written by Nica Kelleher, Program Coordinator at Behavioral Health & Recovery Services’ Office of Diversity & Equity

3/22 – Adult Mental Health First Aid Hosted by Pacific Islander Initiative

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Please join us for an upcoming Adult Mental Health First Aid Training. This important session will equip you with valuable knowledge and practical skills to support someone who may be facing mental health or substance abuse challenges.

The training covers the initial steps to take when you encounter someone in need, and provides you with effective tools to help navigate these situations with confidence and care. It’s a great opportunity to learn how to provide the right support when it’s needed most.

Details of the training:

  • Date: March 22
  • Time: 9am-6pm
  • Location: Le Maota, 833 Mahler Road, Burlingame, CA

Whether you’re already familiar with mental health issues or new to the topic, this training will help you feel more prepared and comfortable in supporting those around you.

Registration link: bit.ly/MHSA-TCIP

2/14 – Free Naloxone Administration Training

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Hello,

You are invited to a free naloxone administration training on Friday, February 14 from 9-10 am at 2000 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo, in the Atrium Room. 

San Mateo County BHRS invites you to an informative presentation on overdose prevention, how to recognize symptoms of an overdose and what to do about it! Attendees will receive a free box of naloxone. 

*Please note this session will be filmed as part of a training demonstration project with the UCSF Alumni Program.*

Our very own Dr. Ronni Brown was named recipient of the 2025 UCSF Alumni Practitioner Award, recognizing an alumnus whose work demonstrates clinical empathy, understanding and caring within health care. To help honor this achievement, UCSF will be getting video footage of Ronni administering the training. 

2/6 – MHSA Steering Committee Meeting

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Hello!

We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming MHSA Steering Committee meeting this Thursday, February 6th at 3pm. 

Please note that this is a hybrid meeting. For those who want to join in person, we will be meeting at the San Mateo Library (55 W 3rd Ave in San Mateo). The Zoom link is included below if you prefer to join virtually and the phone line for those conferencing in. The meeting agenda is attached. The latest information for MHSA can always be found on the MHSA website, http://www.smchealth.org/MHSA, under the “Announcements” tab.

Proposed Agenda:

  • Announcements
    • BHSA Taskforce Interest Survey
    • MHSA Program Outcomes Workgroups Recommendations
  • BHSA Community Program Planning (Prop. 1 Transition)
  • MHSA Annual Update Presentation

Meeting Details: 

San Mateo Library, Laurel Room, 55 W 3rd Ave, San Mateo

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89224214146   

Dial in: +1 669 900 6833 / Mtg ID: 892 2421 4146

MHSA Steering Committee agenda 02.06.25Download

2/7 – Legal Aid of San Mateo County Presentation

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Hello,

Please share this event with your networks. San Mateo County’s Behavioral Health & Recovery Services’ Diversity & Equity Council is inviting Legal Aid of San Mateo County to present for the community.

Legal Aid will discuss community concerns around access to civil legal services with a focus on access to healthcare and public benefits for LGBTQ+, undocumented and mental health consumers.

Learn about Health Consumer Center at Legal Aid, the types of cases they support, and information about Medi-Cal for all, including undocumented individuals.

What: Presentation from Legal Aid of San Mateo County

When: Friday, 2/7/25, 11AM-12:30PM

Where: Via Zoom (Email Brenda Nuñez at Brenda.Nunez@star-vista.org for Zoom info)

Suicide Prevention Committee Newsletter – February 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

  •  Suicide Prevention Committee are proposing new projects, including a new resource flyer, data visualization and video series. More details to be shared in upcoming meetings.

Monthly Meetings

  • Upcoming Meeting: Tuesday, 02/04/2025 1:30pm – 3pm
    • Topic: Resource Flyer & Suicide Data Visualization Project
  • Prior Meeting: Tuesday, 01/07/2025 1:30pm – 3pm
    • Topic: Review Priorities 2025 & Key Partners Matrix
  • 2025 Meeting Schedule
Read more

2/15 – 2025 Black History Month Wellness Event

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Mark your calendars! African American Community Initiative (AACI) is hosting their 2025 Black History Month Wellness Event celebration! This is a free community event promoting arts and wellness for African Americans. Expect live music, resource fair, speakers, and health & wellness checks. 

Date: Sat, 2/15/25
Time: 1:00PM- 4:00PM PST
Location: Eastside College Preparatory School (1041 Myrtle Street, East Palo Alto)
Contact: Dee Pennix at AACIInitiative@gmail.com

About AACI:

The mission of the African American Community Initiative is to become a known resource for African American Community members facing challenges with finding and utilizing mental health services, while addressing inequalities faced by African Americans in our county.  Our vision is to build a community driven support system for reducing mental health and substance use treatment disparities, and the stigma of mental illness.
 
Learn more about their work here. 

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