Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Blog

Each year, San Mateo County joins our state and country in celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) in May. MHAM is one of the best times of the year where we can promote wellness and reduce stigma against those facing mental health and substance use issues.

This year, San Mateo County is joining Each Mind Matters, California’s Statewide Mental Health Movement, in promoting the theme Express Yourself. As we celebrate 2020 MHAM, we are focusing on how expressing ourselves in different ways can raise awareness about mental health, break down barriers between people, build our own wellness and strengthen our communities.

Due to COVID-19, all of our events will be taking place virtually this year. Look forward to virtual open mics, paint and dance classes, mental health panels, and more! All events will be FREE and available to the public. Share this post or this flyer with your family, friends and community!

Largely funded by the Mental Health Services Act (Proposition 63), MHAM is organized the MHAM Planning Committee and Office of Diversity and Equity at the San Mateo County Health, Behavioral Health & Recovery Services. 

Past Events

Fri, 5/1 11am-1pm | Race & Coronavirus Town Hall Virtual
Virtual Location: Zoom – Register Here
Details: On behalf of the Diversity and Equity Council (DEC), please join community partners in a discussion on COVID-19 related impacts o people of color, LGBTQ+, and low-income communities. We will discuss priorities and strategies to support or communities. You can download event flyer here (PDF | PNG). 
Language: English, Spanish, Cantonese
Contact: Diversity Equity Council (DEC) Co-Chairs Brenda Nunez (brenda.nunez@star-vista.org | (650-477-4295) and Frances Lobos (flobos@smcgov.org | 650-372-3272)

Fri, 5/1 7:15-8:30 pm | Mental Health Open Mic 
Virtual Location: Zoom | Register Here
Details: In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto joins us to help break the silence surrounding suicide and mental illness. We’ll also be joined by trauma specialists from StarVista. More information at this website. 
Language: English
Contact: John Weaver (jnweaver@menlopark.org)

Sun, 5/3 3:00pm – 4:30pm| The Let’s Talk Mental Health Group of Peninsula Temple Sholom (PTS) presents Stories of Hope, Stories of Wisdom
Virtual Location: https://zoom.us/j/455465262 OR One tap mobile +16699006833,,455465262#
Details: Ian Adamson, founder and executive director of Mateo Lodge, a facility with residential and community support services for persons with mental illness, will share his lifetime of experience working with young adults 18 – 59 who are living with mental health concerns that affect their ability to find a meaningful path in life. All will be inspired and informed by Ian’s passion. This presentation, guided by moderator and PTS member, David Korth, will be particularly relevant at this time when young adults, and also the rest of us, face more challenges, stress and uncertainty than before.
Language: English
Contact: LETSTALKMH@sholom.org

Mon, 5/4 4:00-5:30pm | Make Your Own Mask Workshop
Virtual Location: Zoom | Register Here
Details: There’s always a need for more protective masks. Fiber artist and fabric fix-it coach Lanajean Vecchione will show you a few simple ways to use what you already have at home. More information at this website. 
Language: English
Contact: John Weaver (jnweaver@menlopark.org) 

Tue, 5/5 – Thu, 6/4 Tuesdays & Thursdays 6:00-7:30pm | Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Around Trauma
Virtual Location: Zoom | Register Here
Details:  If you feel you have lost your power, come and join us as we focus on Wellness Tools and Action Plans that will support you in the process of taking back your own power, taking some safe risks and seeking out people who validate you and your experiences. You can download event flyer here
Language: English
Contact: info@vorsmc.org

Thu, 5/7 1pm & Fri, 5/8 7pm | Our Lives, Our Voices: Overcoming the Stigma of Mental Health Issues, with local organization Heart and Soul, Inc.
Virtual Location: https://zoom.us/j/4782785269 OR 669-900-6833 (Meeting ID: 4782785269) (Same login for both sessions).
Details: Join Bevin Love, Program Director of Heart & Soul, Inc and three community members for a discussion on their lived experience with mental health challenges and recovery. We are changing the dialogue from diagnosis to dialogue, from mental illness to mental resilience. Please note there are two sessions of similar panels. This event is part of a series called, “Burlingame Reads 2020 Featuring The Collected Schizophrenia by Esmé Weijun Wang. More information at this website.
Language: English
Contact:  bplref@plsinfo.org

Fri, 5/8 4:00-5:00pm | Social DisDancing
Virtual Location: Zoom | https://zoom.us/j/97589017661 
Details: Looking to get some movement going at home? Take a free all levels Hip Hop dance class with JC Caoile, Director of Str8jacket Dance Company! Practice Social DisDancing with him from the comfort of your home!
Language: English
Contact: JC Caoile (jcaoile4@gmail.com)

Mon, 5/11 6:00-7:00pm | Self-Care: Who’s Got Time for That? 
Virtual Location: Zoom | Register Here
Details: What if you are under stressful conditions, and find traditional discussions of self-care to be inauthentic and inaccessible? Our presenters, Dr. Julie Nicholson and Julie Kurtz, are researchers, educators, and authors with helpful strategies that can be implemented immediately. More information at this website. 
Language: English
Contact: John Weaver (jnweaver@menlopark.org)

Mon, 5/11 7:00pm | Ask a Doctor: Mental Health During COVID-19
Virtual Location: Zoom |Call 669-900-6833 OR Open this Link (Meeting ID: 899 2779 5010; Password: 934658)
Details: This panel includes the following speakers: 
Kristoffer Strauss, MD, San Mateo County Psychiatry Resident
Juan Lopez, MD, San Mateo County Psychiatry Resident, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow at Stanford University
Tram Nguyen, MD, San Mateo County Psychiatry Resident, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow at Stanford University
Language: English
Contact: bplref@plsinfo.org

Tue, 5/12 1pm & 7pm | Book Discussion on Chapter 1-6 of The Collected Schizophrenia
Virtual Location:
1pm: (669) 900-6833 OR https://zoom.us/j/92166088394?pwd=R2FOVFYrbElIRGp5NDB2K3V3NGk3UT09 (Meeting ID: 921 6608 8394; Password: 674911)
7pm: https://zoom.us/j/96525585539?pwd=cklUVkxMS2lFNFB5RzYxc2VQS1pvZz09 OR (669) 900-6833 (Meeting ID: 965 2558 5539; Password: 164028)
Details:  Please note there are two sessions of this book discussion. This event is part of a series called, “Burlingame Reads 2020 Featuring The Collected Schizophrenia by Esmé Weijun Wang. More information at this website.
Language: English
Contact:  bplref@plsinfo.org

Wed, 5/13 7:00pm | South San Francisco City Council Proclamation of 2020 May Mental Health Awareness Month
Virtual Location: Live stream at bit.ly/ssf_video_streaming.
Details: South San Francisco City Council will join the county, state and country in proclaiming May as Mental Health Awareness Month.
Language: English
Contact: Sheri Boles (Sheri.Boles@ssf.net)

Thu, 5/14 7:00-8:30pm | Live & Aloud Online – Gaby Castro – Singer / Songwriter – Mental Health Advocate
Virtual Location: Zoom | RSVP Required to rkutler@redwoodcity.org for Zoom Link
Details: An advocate for mental health, many of Gaby’s songs touch on her personal struggles and the trials of those around her. Let her music tell the stories. Public Program – All Are Welcome.  Recommended Age: 13+ (Please be aware that this program will include topics including depression, anxiety, self-harm, suicide, and death.)
Language: English
Contact: Roz Kutler | rkutler@redwoodcity.org

Tue, 5/14 7:00-8:30pm | Every Body Is A Good Body: Disability Justice, Fat Activism, & Mental Health, a Conversation w/ Virgie Tovar and Alex Locust
Virtual Location:  Zoom | Call 669-900-6833 or Open this Link (Meeting ID: 890 5273 6506; Password: 892947) 
Details: More information at this website.
Language: English
Contact: bplref@plsinfo.org

Sat, 5/16 3:00-5:00pm | Painting Class with Dina
Virtual Location: Zoom | https://zoom.us/j/91399955481 OR+16699006833,,91399955481#
Details: A virtual painting class promoting stress relief and creative growth. This class is for everyone, I will teach you how to paint an easy, fun and exciting piece that you can show to all your friends and family. This class is for children and adults.
Language: English
Contact: Dina Figureroa (Figueroadina@hotmail.com)

Tue, 5/19 9:00-11:00am | Board of Supervisors Proclamation of 2020 May Mental Health Awareness Month
Virtual Location: Live Stream at https://sanmateocounty.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx | Participate with public comment by visiting https://smcgov.zoom.us/j/97269422877 or dialing +1-669-900-6833 (meeting ID: 972 6942 2877) 
Details: Every year, San Mateo County Board of Supervisors proclaims May as Mental Health Awareness Month. Please join in solidarity with our Board of Supervisors and greater San Mateo County community. You are also welcome to provide public comment on this agenda item as well. You can find meeting agenda and live stream link at https://sanmateocounty.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. 
Language: English
Contact: Sylvia Tang (stang@smcgov.org | 650-578-7165)

Tue, 5/19 1pm & 7pm | Book Discussion on Chapter 7-13 of The Collected Schizophrenia
Virtual Location:
1pm: (669) 900-6833 OR https://zoom.us/j/92166088394?pwd=R2FOVFYrbElIRGp5NDB2K3V3NGk3UT09 (Meeting ID: 921 6608 8394; Password: 674911)
7pm: https://zoom.us/j/96525585539?pwd=cklUVkxMS2lFNFB5RzYxc2VQS1pvZz09 OR (669) 900-6833 (Meeting ID: 965 2558 5539; Password: 164028)
Details:  Please note there are two sessions of this book discussion. This event is part of a series called, “Burlingame Reads 2020 Featuring The Collected Schizophrenia by Esmé Weijun Wang. More information at this website.
Language: English
Contact:  bplref@plsinfo.org

Tue, 5/19 3:30-5:00pm | Gaby Castro Performance (Teens Only – Grades 6-12 Welcome)
Virtual Location: Zoom | Register Here
Details: Join us as Gaby Castro discusses her struggles with mental illness and how music and songwriting have helped. More information at this website. 
Language: English
Contact: Gina Feil (gifeil@menlopark.org)

Wed, 5/20 6:00-8:00pm | May Mental Health Awareness Month Virtual Open Mic at the Pride Center
Virtual Location: Zoom | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81631636272
Details: The Pride Center is hosting a virtual open mic night to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month. Share a story, your poetry, spoken word and/or your musical talents. You can download event flyer here.
Language: English
Contact: Lowellyn Sunga (lowellyn.sunga@sanmateopride.org | 650-695-0006)

Tue, 5/26 6:30-8:00pm | Trauma to Triumph: Women Share Their Stories of Healing and Hope
Virtual Location: Zoom | Register Here
Details: In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we present a live panel discussion. Women working in the fields of recovery, mental health, and advocacy will share how they’ve overcome personal challenges, and pass along their suggestions for achieving resilience and hope. Details and updates at this web page.
Language: English
Contact: John Weaver (jnweaver@menlopark.org)

Wed, 5/27 7:00pm-8:30pm | A Path Forward
Virtual Location: Zoom
Web Browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88437080506?pwd=bThnL3M2MmNJbmpKRmFZUUpTNXJOQT09 | Meeting ID: 884 3708 0506 | Password: 083151
One tap mobile: +16699006833,,88437080506#,,#,083151#
Dial-in: +1 669 900 6833 US | Meeting ID: 884 3708 0506 | Password: 083151
Details: The impact of COVID-19, how we understand our new feelings and behaviors and what we can do for self-help and for helping our loved ones to get through this period.  This presentation will provide an opportunity to talk about the many new developments we are experiencing and what options we have to feel empowered and supported when it comes to our mental health and that of our loved ones. You will get tips and advice that you can use right away.   Our speaker and guide will be Dr. Jennifer Myers Harrison, a Board Certified Licensed Psychologist. You can download event flyer here (PDF | JPG).
Language: English
Contact: Jan Cohen (650-638-0800)

Thu, 5/28 4:00-5:30pm | Weaving Connections: Sharing Stories for Mental Health Awareness
Virtual Location: Zoom | Please RSVP for a required Zoom login by emailing fpotter@redwoodcity.org. RSVP by May 22 in order to receive a free friendship bracelet kit via USPS mail.
Details: In this time of social distancing, emotional connections to friends and family members are more important than ever. Honor special friends in your life by learning to make simple friendship bracelets!  During the event we’ll hear three Lived Experience Academy graduates share stories of their experiences confronting mental health and/or substance abuse challenges. Recommended for ages 16+ .More information at this web page. 
Language: English
Contact: Fiona Potter (fpotter@redwoodcity.org | 650-780-7056) 

Jueves/Thu, 5/28 6:00-8:00pm | “Familia y Bienestar
durante COVID-19″, una conversación con Embajadores de Salud y Profesionales | Health Ambassadors Dialogue: “Family & Wellness during COVID-19”
Locación Virtual | Virtual Location: Zoom | Registrarse Aquí | Register Here
Detalles | Details: Acompañenos a aprender y compartir experiencias sobre el tema de salud mental en tiempos de crisis. Descargue el volante aquí.| Join us to learn and share experiences about mental health in a time of crisis.  Download flyer here. 
idioma| Language: Español con interpretación disponible en Inglés | Spanish with English Interpretation
Contacto | Contact: Charo Martinez | mmartinezresendiz@smcgov.org

Thu, 5/28 7:00pm | Virtual Author Event w/ Esmé Weijun Wang
Virtual Location: Zoom | Call 669-900-6833 or Open this Link (Meeting ID: 899 2779 5010; Password: 934658
Details: More information at this website.
Language: English
Contact: bplref@plsinfo.org

*TBA = To Be Announced