Category Archives: Health Equity

Save the Date: 2024 Pride Parade & Celebration

Posted on by

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

2/29 – Honoring our Shared Humanity: Countering Islamophobia and Antisemitism  

Posted on by

Hello, 

Islamophobia and antisemitism are on the rise locally due to international events. People in our community have lost loved ones, experienced increased hate and divisiveness, and some have lost a sense of belonging and community.    

  The County of San Mateo Office of Racial and Social Justice is partnering with the Islamic Networks Group (ING), County Health’s Office of Diversity and Equity, the Spirituality Initiative, and the Peninsula Solidarity Cohort to host a webinar to increase understanding and belonging as we acknowledge the experiences of many Jewish, Muslim, Israeli, Palestinian, and Arab communities, among others in San Mateo County, and strive towards connecting across our shared humanity.

Zoom Webinar Event: Honoring our Shared Humanity: Countering Islamophobia and Antisemitism 
Date/Time: Thursday, February 29th, 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm 
Register: http://bit.ly/smcsharedhumanity 
Interpretation Available: Arabic, Mandarin, and Spanish.  

We would like to make this webinar accessible. If you have other language needs or methods that can help increase accessibility for you, please email us by 2/22: equitysmc@smcgov.org.  

The live webinar will feature Maha Elgenaidi and Karen Stiller, Muslim and Jewish speakers from the ING Interfaith Speakers Bureau, in a facilitated conversation and Q&A with Pastor Bussey, co-chair of the Peninsula Solidarity Cohort. The webinar will address the following topics: 

  • Understanding the history of Islamophobia and antisemitism and how they manifest today. 
  • How to counter both forms of bigotry. 

We hope you can join us in support of our shared humanity across all our diverse communities in San Mateo County. 

**Please note, attached are outreach materials in Arabic, Mandarin, and Spanish.**

In community, 
Isaac Frederick & Pam Ward-Pious
Co-Chairs of BHRS Spirituality Initiative

Anti-Hate-Webinar-Flyer-SpanishDownload
Anti-Hate-Webinar-Flyer-ArabicDownload
Anti-Hate-Webinar-Flyer-Simplified-ChineseDownload

Self-Care Everyday Series: Introduction

Posted on by

Self-care has been increasing in popularity throughout the last few years, especially during the pandemic. Self-care is not just a luxury; it’s a fundamental necessity for maintaining overall well-being. It encompasses intentional actions and practices that prioritize your physical, mental, and emotional health. By dedicating time to self-care, you invest in yourself, fostering resilience and balance in the face of life’s challenges. 

The benefits of regular self-care are profound. Physically, it can enhance your immune system, improve sleep, and boost energy levels. Emotionally, self-care provides a vital space for reflection and relaxation, helping to manage stress and prevent burnout. Additionally, it nurtures a positive mindset, enhancing emotional resilience and fostering a greater sense of self-worth. 

Self-care encourages self-awareness and self-compassion. It empowers individuals to set boundaries, prioritize their needs, and cultivate a healthier relationship with themselves. Ultimately, practicing self-care is an investment in your long-term health and happiness, enabling you to navigate life’s complexities with greater ease and authenticity 

Though self-care comes in several different forms; however, this series will focus on physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual, and workplace balance with a sneak peek into how I implement these practices, so come along with me as we embark on a journey to explore new self-care tips and tricks to build a stronger body, mind and soul. Let’s transform those Self Care Sundays into healing every day! 

Written by Ayanna Wade (she/her), BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity Intern

Meet Our New Health Equity Initiative Coordinator, Tia Bell! 

Posted on by

Please join us in welcoming Tia Bell (she/her) as BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity’s new Health Equity Initiative (HEI) Coordinator!

Tia (she/her) is trained as a psychologist and spent the last 14 years providing culturally congruent and trauma-informed clinical care to marginalized folx in community-based organizations. In her quest for providing wellness from a culturally sound, affirming, and inclusive lens, Tia is earnestly passionate about developing relationships and motivated to make lasting community connections grounded in safety and trust. In her free time, she enjoys painting by numbers, playing with her plants, and spending time with her husband and her dog, Domino.

Fun Fact: Tia has 8 siblings; She is number 7 out of 8. 

About her work: The HEIs work collaboratively to bring together mental health professionals, residents, clinicians, organizations, community members, and stakeholders to provide outreach, programs, and advocacy for community-driven solutions that are rooted in cultural humility practices. 

Learn more about the Health Equity Initiatives here. 

11/20 – 2023 Transgender Day of Remembrance

Posted on by

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

Honoring 2023 Indigenous People’s Day with NIPI

Posted on by
Sunrise photo on Alcatraz Island with gathering of people in honor of Indigenous People's Day

On behalf of the Native and Indigenous Peoples Initiative (NIPI) we express gratitude to be able to represent alongside the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC). On October 9, 2023, we honored and celebrated Indigenous People’s Day at the annual Sunrise Gathering on Alcatraz Island, Yelamu, Ohlone territory, respectively. The IITC has organized the annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day Sunrise Gathering on Alcatraz Island to recognize the historic Alcatraz Occupation that began November 20, 1969 as a way to acknowledge and support the resistance and survival of the Indigenous Peoples of this land. 2023 marked the 44th Annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day Sunrise Gathering as well as the 5th Annual Yerba Buena Gardens Festival. Both events featured Native and Indigenous performers and speakers as well as local vendors. It was an honor to see so many participants and attendants supporting the event and individual artists.  

Upon sunset the Native and Indigenous Peoples Initiative (NIPI) received an Indigenous Peoples Day Proclamation from the city of Redwood City, CA.

NIPI is supported by San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, Office of Diversity and Equity. It is one of the nine Health Equity Initiatives funded by the voter-approved Mental Health Services Act (Prop 63). For more info and our meeting schedule, visit www.smchealth.org/NIPI.

Written by Gloria Gutierrez (she/her), Co-Chair of NIPI

Liven Up Your Virtual Background by Advocating for Your Communities!

Posted on by

Virtual backgrounds are an easy way to spark conversation with others. Spark a conversation about a cause or community you care about at your next virtual meeting with one of BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity’s cultural or mental health related backgrounds!

Backgrounds we are offering include Mental Health Month, Black History Month, National BIPOC Mental Health Month, and more! 

Check out our variety of cultural and mental health related backgrounds here. 

Youth Leaders Share Mental Health Advice to Parents at “What I Wish My Parents Knew” Forum

Posted on by

In honor of Suicide Prevention Month, BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity’s Chinese Health Initiative partnered with Belmont, Redwood Shore, San Carlos Chinese Community  (BRSCC), and Star Vista’s Health Ambassador Youth Program to host the “What I Wish My Parents Knew” forum on Saturday, September 16, 2023.

The successful forum was led by San Mateo County youths Xin Xin Cai, Anthony Lee, and Anastasia Yang, with over 50 participants of parents, caregivers, and allies. As a way to ensure this forum was accessible to our communities, it was provided in English with Cantonese and Mandarin interpretation.

Youth leaders addressed mental health questions using their lens of the Chinese-American culture and provided insightful advice to parents and mental health clinicians in the audience. They identified the top reasons for not wanting to share about their mental health were stigma and not wanting to worry their parents. One piece of advice offered to address this challenge was for parents and caregivers to talk to teens about their mental health in ways that support teens as independent individuals such as giving them time and space.

To learn more about the Chinese Health Initiative, visit SMCHealth.org/CHI and follow them on Facebook.

Written by Alyson Suzuki, Chinese Health Initiative Co-Chair and Kayla Tolentino, BHRS’ Office of Diversity & Equity

11/4- 10th Annual Sana Sana Colita de Rana

Posted on by

Please join us for our 10th Annual Sana Sana, Colita de Rana event that is co-sponsored by BHRS’ Latino/a/x Collaborative, ALAS, Spiritualiy Initiative, Native Indigenous People’s Initiative, and BHRS’ Office of Diversity & Equity.

Date/ time: Saturday, November 4th, 2023 from 11AM-3PM

Location: South San Francisco High School (400 B Street, South San Francisco, Ca).

About the event: This is a family-friendly event to promote health and wellness among our Latino/a/x community in SMC. This event will be in Spanish with English interpretation for main events.

This year’s theme is “10 Años Sañando Juntos / Ten Years of Healing Together” to recognize our tenth year of holding this event and to reflect on how far we have come as a Latino/a/x Collaborative community.

We are proud to share that our keynote speaker will be Dra. Estela Garcia. Dra. Garcia has received numerous leadership recognition awards for her commitment to Chicano, Latino/a/x community. Additionally, we will have on-site health screenings, food, music, resource booths, and so much more.

This event is dedicated in memory of Hector Robles-Moncada, co-chair and co-leader of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Sana Sana. Hector Robles Moncada, who passed earlier this year.

For more information about this event visit SMCHealth.org/2023SanaSana

Pacific Islander Suicide Prevention Cards Available for Delivery

Posted on by

Are you interested in our updated Pacific Islander Suicide Prevention cards? Click the pdf below to print or we can deliver it to your organization. If you are interested in having the cards delivered, please email Kristie Lui (she/her) at KFLui@smcgov.org.

These cards were developed by the Pacific Islander Initiative (PII). To learn more about PII, visit SMCHealth.org/pacific-islander-initiative.

PII-Suicide-Prevention-CardsDownload
« Older Entries Recent Entries »