In honor of Suicide Prevention Month and Recovery Happens Month, we are hosting free events all throughout the month of September! For most up-to-date info on events, visit SMCHealth.org/SPM.
This year’s statewide theme is #SupportYourWay. Join us in validating the choice to reach out for help, understanding that support can look different for everyone, and reframing the act of asking for support as taking control—not losing it.
Today on 9/8 aka 988 Day and the start of Suicide Prevention week, we are uplifting the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Learn the difference between 911 and 988. This resource is always here for you. You can also call the San Mateo County Crisis Line at (650) 579-0350 24/7 for help during a mental health crisis and the San Mateo County Mobile Crisis Response Team can come to you in person.
Events happening this week:
💜 9/8 – STS and Alt2Su Suicide Awareness Panel | Heart & Soul Clinic, Burlingame
💜 9/9 – Voices of Recovery’s Brunch/ Philomena Walk of Hope | 400 County Center, Redwood City
💜 9/9 – Board of Supervisors Proclamation | 500 County Center, Redwood City
More info about events at SMCHealth.org/SPM.
📣 September Suicide Prevention Month is officially upon us! Throughout the month, get involved in suicide prevention in your community by attending one of our many free events being hosted all throughout San Mateo County. Look forward to art shows, suicide prevention trainings, a glass etching art night, panels and more! Learn more about the events at SMCHealth.org/SPM.
Events happening this week:
💜 9/3 at 5:30PM – Creating Safety Through Expressions, Mouton Center in East Palo Alto
💜 9/5 at 5PM – Voices of Recovery Annual Candlelight Vigil
💜 9/8 at 1PM – STS and Alt2Su Suicide Awareness Panel, Heart & Soul Clinic in Burlingame
📅 We are just 3 weeks away from September Suicide Prevention Month (in addition to Recovery Happens Month)!
San Mateo County is joining statewide and nationwide efforts for the following Suicide Prevention Month (SPM) observances. SPM is one of the best times of the year where we can honor those affected by suicide and inspire action to prevent suicide.
For 2025, San Mateo County and partners are promoting the statewide theme: “Support, Your Way.”
What if suicide prevention could feel human, honest, and self-assured, all while being inclusive of the different ways people can find support. Rather than centering fear, crisis, or clinical language, this theme is about agency, particularly at vulnerable moments when people feel like they have none. It reflects a cultural truth that people want help on their own terms, and flips the understanding of asking for help not as a loss of control—but as a regaining of it.
It’s not about prescribing what help should look like. It’s about validating the choice to reach out for help, understanding that support can look different for everyone, and reframing the act of asking for support as taking control.
For more info on attending free events, getting involved, or finding support, visit SMCHealth.org/SPM.
*Lastly, to apply for one of our ten $300 mini-grants to fund an event, view application here.*
Thank you for helping prevent suicide and promote wellness in our community!
Taylor Coutts and Sylvia Tang
Suicide Prevention Committee Co-Chairs
Walter Ng and Grace Higgs
Suicide Prevention Month Planning Committee Co-Chairs
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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。
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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
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Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (In-Person)
ASIST is a two-day in person interactive workshop in suicide first aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognize when someone may be at risk for suicide and work with them to create a plan to support their immediate safety. Skills learned in one environment are transferable to others, creating a life-saving impact across the community.
This course is offered by San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Office of Diversity and Equity:
ASIST Training Registration Form for San Mateo 2024-2025
Mental Health First Aid and Be Sensitive Be Brave Trainings
Click here to register for the 01/08/25 training from 4:30pm – 6:45pm
https://www.kingdomlove.live/trainings/event-four-6kk5r
Dedicated to empowering youth and families in underserved communities through evidence-based mental health training, Kingdom Love LLC focus is on strengthening family and community connections by providing accessible, skill-based education that fosters a shared understanding for prevention and early intervention.
To learn more and register for upcoming trainings, visit:
https://www.kingdomlove.live/trainings
IN THE NEWS
This section includes news that intersects with our local suicide prevention work:
Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Director Newsletter (December 2024)
County Announces Appointment of New Health Chief
https://www.smcgov.org/ceo/news/county-announces-appointment-new-health-chief
San Mateo County Supervisors Bolster Gun Violence Prevention
https://www.smcgov.org/ceo/news/san-mateo-county-supervisors-bolster-gun-violence-prevention
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESOURCES
CRISIS RESOURCES
NON-CRISIS RESOURCES
This is a two-hour foundational workshop that infuses culture and diversity throughout. The County offers a Mental Health version and a Suicide Prevention version.MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
This is an eight-hour skills-based training course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health or substance uses signs or crises. The County offers a youth and adult version of this workshop.
For more information about both trainings above, please contact: Sylvia Tang stang@smcgov.org
CALL TO ACTION!
We have the power to make a difference.
By spreading awareness, providing support, and advocate for change, we can help people create aa world where they feel seen, heard, and supported. Here are ways you can help:
Actively participate in the next SPC meeting:
Tuesday, January 7th, 2025, 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Web Browser: https://zoom.us/j/410362485
(Meeting ID: 410 362 485)
One-Tap Phone: +16699006833,,410362485#
Phone (dial-in): +1 669 900 6833 US
(San Jose) Meeting ID: 410 362 485
Invite Someone New!
Ask new stakeholder, partner, agency, organization, community member to join the SPC mailing list.
Announcements?
Have an important commission meeting?
Upcoming event you would like to highlight?
Send an email by the second Tuesday of each month for co-chairs review to: walter.ng@star-vista.org
QUESTIONS OR FEEDBACK?
READY TO GET INVOLVED?
CONTACT US!
Martha Cervantes, LMFT #129448 (She/Her)
Director of StarVista Crisis Services
martha.cervantes@star-vista.org
(650) 208 – 3057
Sylvia Tang, MPP (She/Her)
Community Health Planner
San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services (BHRS) Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE)
stang@smcgov.org
(650) 208 – 5799
Walter Ng (He/Him)
Program Coordinator of StarVista Crisis Services
walter.ng@star-vista.org
(650) 722 – 7652
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