Category Archives: County

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

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

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

Happy 2025 from ODE + New Cultural Competency Plan

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In December 2024, San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services(BHRS) submitted a comprehensive three-year Cultural Competency Plan, showcasing our ongoing efforts to support our diverse communities through culturally and linguistically responsive services. This annual requirement, set by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), helps us track and reflect on our progress in advancing behavioral health equity across our system.

Key areas of focus in the report include our commitment to cultural competence as a system of care, strategies for reducing disparities, efforts to grow a multicultural workforce, and enhancing language capacity to better serve our community. Additionally, the plan highlights our dedication to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) and trauma-informed systems within our organization.

This submission highlights the trends, challenges, and accomplishments of BHRS during fiscal years 2021 through 2024—a period marked by significant transitions as we collectively recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, welcoming new leadership, and prepare for statewide systemic changes.

We recognize this report reflects the lived experiences, needs, and resilience of the individuals and families we serve. These stories are a testament to the strength of our communities and the importance of equitable access to care. We also recognize the dedication and hard work of our BHRS team members and partnering organizations, whose efforts have a direct and meaningful impact on advancing equity and fostering healing within our communities.

Thank you, BHRS, for your unwavering commitment to fostering equity, inclusion, and belong in behavioral health care. Together, we are making a difference.

View the updated plan here.

To stay connected and actively participate in these efforts, we encourage you to:

  1. Join our BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity email listserv
  2. Attend one of our Health Equity Initiatives monthly meetings

Let’s continue to work together to create a healthier, more equitable future for all.

Written by Frances Lobos, San Mateo County BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity

11/13 – 2024 Transgender Day of Remembrance Flag Raising

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San Mateo County is recognizing this year’s Transgender Day of Remembrance with a flag-raising and speakers on Wednesday, November 13, from 9:00-9:30am. Supervisor Pine will be sharing remarks as well as Venus Itzuri Perez-Hernandez from Mariposa Outreach. The flag-raising is open to everyone and will be in the County Courtyard at 500 County Center Redwood City.

Please feel free to share this flyer widely.

Thank you!

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