Category Archives: Mental Health/Substance Use Care

9/25, 10/9 & 10/22- Overdose Prevention Focus Group

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San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services is inviting you to participate in a Focus Group that will inform the development of an overdose prevention coalition! We are building a county-wide coalition to reduce the number of overdose deaths, increase access to recovery and treatment services, and improve the overall health of our community!

We need to hear from you! Your concerns, Your priorities, Your solutions!

Please join one of the following focus group sessions!

·       Wednesday, September 25th, 4-5 pm at Voices of Recovery, 650 Main Street, Redwood City

·       Wednesday, October 9th, 5-6 pm at Oceana High School, Pacifica

·       Tuesday, October 22nd, 10-11 am, Virtual (To receive the Zoom link, click Meeting Registration – Zoom)

Please see the attached handout and share this invitation with any concerned members of our community!

For more information, visit https://www.smchealth.org/overdosepreventioncoalition.

Overdose Coalition Focus GroupsDownload

5/2 – MHSA Steering Committee: Prop 1 Next Steps

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We look forward to connecting with you at our next MHSA Steering Committee meeting, scheduled for Thursday, May 2nd.  Once again, we will have a NEW physical location for those that want to join us in-person.  The goal is to find a meeting location that allows for hybrid meetings, is accessible to public transportation and can remain consistent for us.  We will try the San Mateo Library next and new technology to help us host a hybrid meeting.  The Zoom link is also included below if you prefer to join virtually and the phone line for conferencing in.  The latest information for MHSA can always be found on the MHSA website, www.smchealth.org/MHSA, under the “Announcements” tab.

Next MHSA Steering Committee – May 2, 2024, from 3-4:30pm (hybrid meeting)

Now that we have the vote results for Proposition 1, we will be focusing the meeting on next steps, timeline for implementation and an opportunity for participants to provide input on the community planning process that will support implementation.

Thank you!

Commissioner Jean Perry, MHSA Steering Committee Co-chairperson
Commissioner Leti Bido, MHSA Steering Committee Co-chairperson
Doris Estremera, MHSA Manager

Understand Intersectionality and Mental Health | #Share4MH

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💭 Did you know? Communities of color with mental health conditions are less likely to receive mental health services than their white counterparts. Swipe through for some fast facts. 

When discussing mental health, we need to inform from an equity lens so that all our communities can thrive. Keep the conversation going, and share one of your cultural wellness practices.  

To access the graphics in English and Spanish visit our social media page here.

Visit SMCHealth.org/ODE to learn more and SMCHealth.org/HEI to get involved.

For our full list of free and public events and mental health resources, visit SMCHealth.org/MHM. 

Register for 2023 May Mental Health Month Planning Committee Meetings

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We welcome you to join our 2023 May Mental Health Month Planning Committee meetings (schedule below and in attached flyer).

Please register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqcu2prTwqE9a7I4H7l7dHKOD9TUWUhqgr.  

Day of the WeekDateTimeLocationFocus
ThursdayMarch 23:30-5:00pmZoomIntroduction & Measures of Success
ThursdayMarch 163:30-5:00pmZoomEvents & Advocacy
ThursdayMarch 303:30-5:00pmZoomEvents & Advocacy
ThursdayApril 133:30-5:00pmZoomCommunication & Outreach
ThursdayApril 273:30-5:00pmIn-person-
310 Harbor Blvd-Bldg E, Belmont		Communication & Outreach
Thursday (Note: This meeting has been cancelled)June 83:30-5:00pmZoomDebrief and Celebration

All but 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. If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, please let us know.

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

In a Crisis or Need Support?

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The @StarVistaSMC Crisis Center provides suicide intervention services and programs for San Mateo County residents, including a 24-hour crisis hotline, mobile youth crisis response team, online and text teen crisis support, and educational presentations to the community and schools.

StarVista’s Crisis Center’s website www.sanmateocrisis.org provides a dedicated space to share program services, updates, resources, and more.


StarVista’s Teen Crisis Services consist of an online teen chat and teen text line, which are free, peer-to-peer services that are accessible from http://www.sanmatecrisis.org or by texting 650-747-6463.


StarVista’s 24/7 Crisis Hotline 650-579-0350 offers a safe and confidential place for people to explore feelings, concerns, vent frustrations, clarify problems, and get referrals. Our crisis hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for crisis intervention.

Specialized Mobile Crisis Response Service for Youth

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StarVista’s Crisis Center now offers a Specialized Mobile Crisis Response Service for youth ages 0-25! The Youth Stabilization, Opportunity, and Support (S.O.S.) Team is a program of @StarVistaSMC Crisis Center in partnership with San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services.


The Youth S.O.S. team is designed to respond to children and youth ages 0-25 that are experiencing an escalation of mental and behavioral health symptoms (such as suicidal ideation/intent, self-injurious behaviors, undiagnosed mental health disorders, etc).

Services for the State mandated Family Urgent Response System (FURS), which provides 24-hour crisis response for current and former foster youth and their caregivers, has also been integrated into the Youth S.O.S. team in partnership with Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, the Human Service Agency, and Juvenile Probation.

To learn more about S.O.S., please visit StarVista.

County Breaks Ground on New Facility with a Focus on Wellness, Recovery

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On April 12, 2021, advocates for the mentally ill, treatment providers and local officials celebrated the groundbreaking for the new $105 million Cordilleras Mental Health Center, located on 20 acres of unincorporated land between San Carlos and Redwood City. When it opens in 2023, it will replace the current facility that opened in 1952 as a tuberculosis hospital and transitioned to a mental health facility in the 1970s. Learn more about this project.

Starvista’s New Crisis Center Website and Teen Text Line

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StarVista’s Crisis Center offers multiple crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for residents in San Mateo County. The Crisis Center recently launched its new website, www.sanmateocrisis.org. This online resource provides quick links and information about Crisis Center services, resources and news, and is the new home for its Teen Crisis Chat and the recently launched Teen Crisis Text Line.

Teen Text Line: 650-747-6463
Monday to Thursday, 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. PST
The new teen text line is a free, peer-to-peer service that can be accessed by texting 650-747-6463. Teens can chat anonymously with trained youth peer counselors under Crisis Center staff supervision about various topics. While mainly focused on crisis intervention and suicide prevention, teens can also talk about school stress, relationship issues, and mental health challenges.

Online Teen Chat: sanmateocrisis.org – Monday to Thursday, 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m PST
The online teen chat is a free, peer-to-peer service that is accessible from sanmatecrisis.org. Teens can chat anonymously with trained youth peer counselors under Crisis Center staff supervision about various topics. While mainly focused on crisis intervention and suicide prevention, teens can also talk about school stress, relationship issues, and mental health challenges.

While these teen programs are intended to focus on youth ages 13 and up, no youth will be turned away on the basis of age. Learn more about StarVista’s Teen Crisis Services at sanmateocrisis.org/teen-crisis-services.

Medication Assisted Treatment

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According to a recent report, 40% of adults in the U.S. are dealing with depression, anxiety or substance abuse linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. Every day, over 130 people die from opioid related drug overdoses.  

See the full graphic here.

Much like heart disease or diabetes, addiction is a chronic disease and can be treated and managed. 

Research shows that a combination of medication and therapy can successfully treat substance use disorders and prevent or reduce opioid overdose. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combines behavioral therapy and FDA approved medications (which reduces withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and prevents relapse), and to provide a holistic approach to treating substance use disorders. 

Learn about San Mateo County’s Integrated Medication Assisted Treatment program for alcohol and opioid use at www.smchealth.org/imat or mental health services at www.smchealth.org/bhrsservices 

Combating isolation during covid-19

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