Category Archives: Children/Youth & Family

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

2024 David Lewis Nomination Form – Deadline 8/16

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Nomination form for the 2024 David Lewis Award is now open. Deadline to submit nomination form is August 16th, 2024.

This award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to substance abuse recovery through successful programs, community education, stigma reduction or client advocacy. David Lewis was a long-term employee of San Mateo County Health. He was the co-founder and president of the Board of Directors of “Free at Last,” a substance abuse treatment and prevention agency in East Palo Alto that seeks to break the cycle of addiction, rebuild families, foster education and economic self sufficiency, and contribute to the health and safety of the community.

Download nomination form below.

David Lewis Award nomination form_fillable_2024Download

Congratulations to 13 New Health Ambassador Graduates!

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On February 7th, 2024, Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Office of Diversity & Equity‘s Health Ambassadors welcomed 13 new graduates of the Health Ambassador Program. This is the first in-person graduation since 2019, and it was a spectacular evening filled with joy, community, and connection. The evening consisted of the awards ceremony, a slideshow highlighting the successes of the program over the past few years, and guest speakers/ presenters including Dr. Maria Lorente Foresti, Scott Gruendl, Clara Boyden and more.

Some of the successes highlighted from Fiscal Year 21-22 and Fiscal Year 22-23 include:
– 119 unduplicated clients served
– 21,000 individuals served
– 45 resource tables
– 10 trainings to support/advocate for behavioral health wellness
– 4 Focus groups: retired Congresswoman foundation, MHSA 3-Year plan, Youth Commission Roadmap, State Suicide Prevention campaign.

The Health Ambassadors also played a key role in COVID-19 support and outreach including:

  • Production of 4 Facebook Live community events to support San Mateo County COVID Response
  • Creation of PSAs -in English, Zapotec, Tongan, Tagalog, and Spanish to promote vaccination.
  • Distribution of mental health support and masks in laundromats, grocery stores, and food bank sites.

About the Health Ambassador Program:
Health Ambassadors are individuals who are committed to helping to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals in their community and complete the Health Ambassador Program. San Mateo County’s Behavioral Health and
Recovery Services (BHRS) Health Ambassador Program was created in recognition of the important role that community members serve in effectively reaching out to others.

As a community member with knowledge and experience, you can make a difference in the lives of families, friends, neighbors, and other members in your community who may be experiencing symptoms of a mental illness and/or a substance use problem.

Learn more at SMCHealth.org/HAP.

3/29 – 2024 Cesar Chavez Celebration

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Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Office of Diversity & Equity‘s Latino/a/x Collaborative is partnering once again with Voices of Recovery for the 3rd Annual Cesar Chavez Celebration.  This year the event will take place on Friday, March 29, 4:30-8 pm, at the East Palo Alto Academy!

Our San Mateo County community members and families will get to enjoy free food, entertainment, arts and crafts activities, resources, raffles, and speakers, including our very own Amazing Director and San Mateo County’s Women Hall of Famer, Dr. Maria Lorente-Foresti. 😊

See flyer for more information.

240227-Cesar-Chavez-Event-FINALDownload

Save the Date: 2024 Pride Parade & Celebration

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You’re invited to join the celebration at our epic 12th Annual San Mateo County Pride Celebration! Kick off the celebration with us at our 2nd Annual Pride Parade beginning at 2nd Street & B Street in San Mateo at 10am. The parade will make its way to the Pride Celebration at San Mateo Central Park from 11am to 5pm.

This event is free and sober. Come enjoy resource and vendor booths, entertainment, food trucks, live DJ, and more!

More info at https://www.smcpridecelebration.com

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

Speakers and Artists Requested from San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services – Deadline 2/16

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Greetings,

The San Mateo County Health, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) division is looking to identify qualified Health & Wellness Speakers, Creative and Performance Arts Facilitators.  The speaking topics and arts methods proposed can cover a broad range including, but not limited to:

  • Speakers (e.g., staff engagement, work-life balance and resiliency, vicarious trauma, psychological safety, equity, having difficult conversation, etc.)
  • Creative Arts Therapy and/or Workshop Facilitators (e.g., music, dance, writing, storytelling, collage-making, and painting, etc.)
  • Performance Arts (e.g., ethnic and cultural dance, music, open mics, poetry, spoken word, etc.)

BHRS will be developing a pool of contractors who can provide these different types of services at staff meetings, retreats, community events, conferences, and other venues.  Once the pool of contractors is selected, requests will be made as needed and subject to the contractors’ availability and agreement of the terms of the request

If you are interested in being considered for future requests please provide the following information to HS_BHRS_Communications@smcgov.org by February 16, 2024:

1) Description of the service you provide
2) Proposal or quote for your services, that includes hourly rates and any other cost considerations
3) Outline of your training, presentations and/or link to your website or video samples

Appreciate your consideration and interest in supporting San Mateo County BHRS wellness goals!

Caring for Half Moon Bay – One Year Later

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As we approach the first anniversary of the Half Moon Bay tragedy that deeply impacted our Coastside community and our entire county, San Mateo County’s Behavioral Health & Recovery Services encourages everyone to prioritize their behavioral health.  Spend time with a trusted friend, schedule an appointment with a therapist, practice self-care, and/or take breaks. In these times, extending compassion to another individual can also make a significant difference. Prioritizing our wellness involves various actions, such as seeking assistance when necessary, incorporating self-care and cultural healing practices into our routines, spending time in nature, or utilizing resources like our Spirituality Matters Card (English and Spanish) or our Community Stress Card (English or Spanish) 

Our hearts and thoughts continue to be with those who were impacted, especially the farmworker community, by the event last January.  

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the numerous individuals and organizations whose unwavering support played a pivotal role in the compassionate response to those affected on January 23, 2023. Thank you to all those who responded, assisted, provided support, and continue to provide support to the Coastside.  

Lastly, please consider attending the One Year Remembrance Ceremony organized by the City of Half Moon Bay being held this Sunday, 1/21, from 4pm to 6pm at the Boys and Girls Club Event Center in Half Moon Bay.  

Additional County Resources: 

  • San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services: ACCESS Call Center at 1-800-686-0101 
  • Ayudando Latinos A Sonar (ALAS): supporting the community and our farmworkers through multicultural practices, mental health care, and social services.  with ALAS. 
  • Coastside Hope: Provides support to enhance the quality of life of the community (crisis intervention, case management, food pantry, health insurance assistance, immigration assistance, tax preparation support, and more) 
  • El Centro de Libertad: Helps individuals, families, and communities of all cultures suffering from the impacts of substance abuse and related issues to achieve and maintain health, strength, and recovery. 
  • San Mateo County Crisis Line (run by Starvista) at 1-650-579-0350 or Text “BAY” to 741741 

In community,
Dr. Jei Africa, Director of San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services

2023 Winter Wellness Guide is Here!

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Our new Winter Mental Wellness Guide is here to support your well-being this season. It’s got tips on seasonal planning, setting healthy boundaries, and feeling less overwhelmed. Download it now: https://takeaction4mh.com/toolkit-categories/winter-wellness/

To learn more about behavioral services available in San Mateo County, visit SMCHealth.org/bhrsservices.
You can also call for help by contacting the below numbers available 24/7:
Behavioral Health Crisis: Call 650-579-0350 or 988 (Star Vista Crisis Hotline/National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline)
Behavioral Health Services: Call 800-686-0101 (ACCESS Call Center)

Aquí está nuestra nueva Guía de bienestar mental para la temporada de invierno que llegó para apoyarte. Incluye consejos para que hagas planes para la temporada, pongas límites buenos para ti y para que te sientas menos abrumado. Descárgala ahora: https://takeaction4mh.com/toolkit-categories/winter-wellness/

Para obtener más información sobre los servicios conductuales (servicios de salud mental y uso de sustancias) disponibles en el condado de San Mateo, visite SMCHealth.org/bhrsservices
También puede solicitar ayuda comunicándose con los siguientes números disponibles las 24 horas, los 7 días de la semana:
Behavioral Health Crisis: llame al 650-579-0350 o al 988 (Star Vista Crisis Hotline/National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline)Behavioral Health Services: llame al 800-686-0101 (ACCESS Call Center)

11/20 – 2023 Transgender Day of Remembrance

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In honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), we invite the community to join us at San Mateo Public Library on Monday, November 20, from 4:30-6:30pm.

TDOR has traditionally been about honoring the trans people who have been murdered simply by being themselves (the highest number are Black Transgender women). We want to honor victims’ lives with dignity and end the stigma that trans and gender diverse people face. Ultimately, we want to live in a world where transgender people are protected and safe from transphobia and violence.

This year’s event includes an Altar, Reading of the Names, and a Call to Action. Creating change is difficult; especially when we mourn those who have lost their lives simply for being themselves. We want to honor those who have died and also create ways for our community to learn and take action to eliminate the murder of transgender people. Transgender Day of Remembrance is adjacent to United Against Hate Week 2023. Learn more on the County’s website about how you can take part in other activities throughout the week from November 12-19. 

Register for the event here.

About:
The Transgender Day of Remembrance event is a collaboration between several community organizations around San Mateo County. Please visit each group’s website to learn more about how they support the LGBTQIA+ community. This is where “ally” becomes a verb and we all take part in creating inclusive spaces at home, at work, and at school.

TDOR Eng FlyerDownload
TDOR SP FlyerDownload
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