Category Archives: Substance Use Services

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

2/14 – Free Naloxone Administration Training

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Hello,

You are invited to a free naloxone administration training on Friday, February 14 from 9-10 am at 2000 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo, in the Atrium Room. 

San Mateo County BHRS invites you to an informative presentation on overdose prevention, how to recognize symptoms of an overdose and what to do about it! Attendees will receive a free box of naloxone. 

*Please note this session will be filmed as part of a training demonstration project with the UCSF Alumni Program.*

Our very own Dr. Ronni Brown was named recipient of the 2025 UCSF Alumni Practitioner Award, recognizing an alumnus whose work demonstrates clinical empathy, understanding and caring within health care. To help honor this achievement, UCSF will be getting video footage of Ronni administering the training. 

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

Addressing Substance Misuse Among Transition-Age Youth Not Attending College

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Studies show young adults ages 18 to 25, also defined as transition-age youth (TAY), are at high risk for substance misuse—particularly alcohol and marijuana use. Non-student TAY are also at a higher risk of developing alcohol use disorders.

While prevention efforts for this age group have primarily focused on those who attend a four-year college, SAMHSA compiled information on how to address alcohol and substance misuse among young adults who are exploring their futures outside of a four-year college. These individuals may be in the workforce, enrolled in community college, or exploring other endeavors.

Due to the gap in prevention messaging for TAY taking different paths in their lives, there is tremendous opportunity for professionals and others who interface with young adults to play a role in connecting young adults to information about substance use and services that can help them make healthy choices as they enter adulthood.

Find SAMHSA’s mini-campaign at https://www.stopalcoholabuse.gov/communitiestalk/minicampaigns/.

TAY Substance Use CampaignDownload

8/13 – Spanish Opioid/ Naloxone Training

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As most of you may be aware, fentanyl has rapidly become a leading cause of death in our community and is affecting our adult and youth clients. In response, the Office of Consumer and Family Affairs, in collaboration with the IMAT team, will be hosting an in-person Opioid/Naloxone training in Spanish on Tuesday, August 13, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Barbara A. Mouton Multicultural Wellness Center, located at 903 Weeks Street in East Palo Alto.

Space is limited, and participants must REGISTER. Please support us by spreading the word to your teams and clients! For details about this training please refer to the flyer.

We are planning an in-person Opioid/Naloxone training in English for September. Date TBD.

Narcan-Training-SP-FLyer-08.13.2024Download

Paid Youth Council Opportunity – Social Media Campaign Input

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Social Changery is looking for 6 youth from San Mateo County to be on a paid, online, youth council to advise mental health and substance use prevention social media campaigns. The deadline for Applications is Feb. 17th.  Please share this with any youth in your SMC networks.  

Application Link – https://forms.gle/QzVtTcdoFUmKqdWAA

FlyerDownload

Serenity House CRT Program Reopens

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We are pleased to announce that the Serenity House Crisis Residential Treatment (CRT) program opened on Monday, October 3!

Serenity House is a 13-bed CRT program serving adults age 18+ with a diagnosis of mental illness, including those with co-occurring substance use disorders. In partnership with San Mateo County, the CRT will provide care to individuals aged 18 and above, 24-hours a day, 7 days per week.

The CRT will help people find relief from distress, maintain stability, and emphasize choice-making skills and harm-reduction techniques. Prior to arriving at the program, all referrals should call 650-539-0340 to access services.

Referrals may be generated through self-referral, local law enforcement, emergency responders, or being diverted from psychiatric emergency departments.

Learn more here.

Medication Assisted Treatment Effective for Substance Misuse

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Medication ASsisted Treatment Support Line – Here to Help

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The science is clear: addiction is a chronic disease that changes our brain and IS treatable with medication, behavioral therapies, and support.

Behavioral Health and Recovery Services’ Integrated MedicationAssisted Treatment (IMAT) Support Line is staffed by experienced IMAT case managers who provide informed and non-judgmental support, no matter where you are in the recovery journey.

They can help answer your questions about starting medication assisted treatment, insurance issues, treatment options, and other behavioral health services….or, call them if you just want to talk to someone who gets it. 

Current IMAT clients or anyone interested in IMAT can call:

IMAT Case Management Support Line
650. 573. 2735
9AM – 9PM, 7 days a week, even holidays

Dowload their flyer for more info. If you, or someone you love is having a medical or psychiatric crisis please dial 911.

Recovery Month May Have Come And Gone, but Help is Still Available!

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