Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Blog

Please see the latest edition of the Director’s Newsletter from BHRS Director, Dr. Jei Africa!

Topics include: 

• Administration Team Facilitates, Improves Client Experiences 
• More Than Just “Billing” 
• Making Contact with Contracts 
• Fiscal Team Ensures Accuracy, Keeps Critical Functions on Track 
• June Events and Updates 

Find past issues here. Visit the BHRS website.

It’s Mental Health Month! Wear lime green throughout the month to show your support. 

Want a chance to snag one of these Mental Health Month shirts? Attend one of our mini-grant events happening throughout the month of May! Limited supply available. 

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

Events happening this week:

💚 5/13- Meditative Banig Drawing Workshop at Menlo Park Library 
💚 5/14 – Mindfulness Meditation at Voices of Recovery in Redwood City 
💚 5/15 – Trans Community Awareness Panel, Virtual Via Zoom 
💚 5/15 – Tap Into Wellness, Senior Coastsiders in Half Moon Bay 
💚 5/17 – Make Your Own Wellness Kit, Brisbane Library 
💚 5/18 – Mental Health Matters 5K, Ryder Park in San Mateo 
💚 5/18 – Be Sensitive Be Brave Suicide Prevention Training in Spanish, Virtual Via Zoom

Please see the May Mental Health Awareness Month edition of the Director’s Newsletter from BHRS Director, Dr. Jei Africa!

Topics include:

• Powered by Peers: Heart and Soul May Offerings 
• How to Get Involved this May Mental Health Month
• Seats Open on the Behavioral Health Commission 
• Meet Behavioral Health Commissioners 
• BHRS Office Built on Lived Experience 
• Celebrate Earth Month at the Phoenix Garden – This Saturday 4/27!

Find past issues here. Visit the BHRS website.

The Tony Hoffman Community Mental Health Services Award recognizes individuals, professionals, businesses, and the media who have made an extraordinary difference in the lives of people with mental illness and the communities in which they live.

Recognition is given for public education or advocacy to promote mental health awareness and needs or to address stigma; public education and services to provide housing and employment for persons with mental illness; creation of new and innovative programs or community support activities; recognition of fundraising for mental health activities or long-term financial support to mental health programs; or working for new mental health legislation.

We also honor mental health consumers who, in their journey of recovery, are able to give back to their peers or the community. Awards are presented each May during Mental Health Month. 

See nomination form below.

While the risk of measles exposure remains low for most Bay Area residents, the increasing number of cases nationwide and in California underscores the importance of robust protection against this highly contagious and dangerous illness.

What’s important to know: 

• The best protection against measles is two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, which protects you for life. This is particularly important for anyone travelling internationally in the upcoming months.
• Measles symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis (pink eye), followed 2-4 days later by a rash.
• The virus is transmitted through direct contact with infectious droplets or through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Infectious droplets can linger in indoor air for several hours.
• If traveling internationally, watch for signs and symptoms of measles for 3 weeks after returning to the United States.

Read more here.

Please see the latest issue of the Director’s Newsletter from BHRS Director, Dr. Jei Africa. 

Topics include:  

• April Announcements 
• Voices in the Field: Saving Lives One Connection at a Time 
• Drifting to Driven: IMAT Shares a Client Story 
• IMAT Referral Data: March 2023 – February 2024 
• “Heart Work”: Youth Prevention in North San Mateo County 
    

Find past issues here.  

Visit the BHRS website and blog. 

Please see the latest issue of the Director’s Newsletter from BHRS Director, Dr. Jei Africa. 

Topics include: 

• Youth Crisis Services: Upcoming Needs and Services Review
• Establishing Roots Through The Parent Project + New Semester Begins
• Contractor’s Association Spotlight: Fred Finch Youth & Family Services
• Looking Ahead to Spring

Past issues can be found here.

The San Mateo County Behavioral Health Commission’s Youth Committee Youth Action Board is hosting an input session for youth this Thursday, February 15 from 4:30-6:00pm at allcove San Mateo, 2600 South El Camino Real, Suite 300 San Mateo. The session is a space for young people to share about their own or their friends/loved ones’ experiences seeking mental or behavioral health service support. There will be a live panel featuring youth in high school and college followed by small groups based on lived experiences around mental health. Share stories, brainstorm solutions and help influence and shape the mental health policies and resources in San Mateo County! 

Read more and register at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/youth-mental-behavioral-health-pathways-summit-tickets-829695299977?aff=oddtdtcreator. 

Visit https://www.smchealth.org/behavioral-health-commission to learn more about the Behavioral Health Commission (BHC). Check out the recent blog post about the BHC’s annual retreat: https://smcbhrsblog.org/2024/02/07/smc-behavioral-health-commissions-annual-retreat-prioritizes-for-2024/.

We are proud to announce that The County of San Mateo has been recognized as a Certified Welcoming place by Welcoming America, becoming the first county in California to achieve the distinction for its commitment to immigrant inclusion and belonging.

The County achieved Welcoming America’s 4-star Certified Welcoming designation, the only county in the nation to achieve the rating, and one of only 21 cities and counties in the United States. The program assesses local governments against the Welcoming Standard on their efforts to include and welcome immigrants in all areas of civic, social and economic life.

“We have always known that San Mateo County is special. That we recognize, embrace and celebrate our diversity – it contributes to the vibrancy and resilience of our community where everyone feels valued, respected and able to thrive. Now we are being recognized nationally for this spirit,” said Warren Slocum, president of the Board of Supervisors.

This honor is the culmination of significant efforts since 2020 with major contributions by BHRS through the Office of Diversity & Equity for such programs as the Parent Project and the Health Ambassador Program (HAP), that have provided opportunities for the immigrant community to learn about and support BHRS while lifting up the behavioral health needs of their family members and loved ones.

Slocum and County leaders gathered Wednesday to formally receive the certification from Welcoming America and thank the nearly 100 partners countywide who participated in the certification process.  

Among the factors Welcoming America considered in awarding the county four stars are:

• Efforts to improve standards of living and alleviate poverty by addressing equity within transportation, childcare and housing. In particular, Welcoming America cited opportunities for homeownership in the Harbor Trailer Park. 
• Civic engagement programs, including the Community Alliance to Revitalize Our Neighborhoods (CARON) through the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office and the Farmworker Advisory Commission, which create opportunities for  communication between residents and their government. 
• Data collection efforts to help local governments and community organizations make better informed decisions.

At Wednesday’s gathering, the County also unveiled its new immigrant inclusion strategic plan. Speakers at the event celebrated the work done so far but also looked to the future, noting that the strategic plan will serve as a blueprint for the community.

“As we celebrate this honor, we recognize that the work of welcoming is never finished and we look forward to continuing to find new ways to empower and support immigrant community members and all who call San Mateo County home,” said County Executive Mike Callagy. “We are a welcoming space, regardless of a formal recognition, but are so proud to be acknowledged on a national scale.”

Welcoming America is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that that leads a movement of inclusive communities becoming more prosperous by ensuring everyone belongs. Certified Welcoming is a formal designation by Welcoming America for cities and counties that have created policies and programs reflecting their commitment to immigrant inclusion.

Please see the latest issue of the Director’s Newsletter from BHRS Director, Dr. Jei Africa. 

Topics include: 

• Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Grant
• Mental Health Services Act Impact on Housing
• Housing Programs Spotlight: Healthcare for the Homeless (HCH) and Homeless Engagement Assessment and Linkage (HEAL)
• Diary in the Field: IMAT Expands Outreach to Navigation Center
• Healthcare for the Homeless/Farmworker Team: Needs Assessment Provides Insights for Practitioners to Consider

Past issues can be found here.