Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Blog

For the 5th year, the National Day of Prayer for Behavioral Health Recovery and Understanding was recognized in San Mateo County.  BHRS and NAMI co-sponsored the observance on October 5th by inviting faith, secular leaders, and consumers to participate.  Faith and secular leaders around the country publicly recommit themselves to replace misinformation, blame, fear and prejudice with truth, inclusion, and love in order to offer hope and support. 

The event included members from various faiths: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Catholic, and Hindu, as well as prayers/poem from consumers and providers.

Isaac Frederick, Co-Chair of the Spirituality Initiative opened the event. Peggy Jensen, San Mateo Deputy County Manager provided a welcoming address and San Mateo County Health LEAP Institute director Viral Mehta, shared his personal story of healing, faith and hope.  Presenters consisted of several faith-based communities including Rabbi Lisa Delson from Peninsula Temple Sholom; Ashis Khan with the Hindu Speakers Bureau; Wesley Mukoyama, volunteer lay Buddhist Champlain of Santa Clara County Jail; and Rev. Dr. Janet Bower of Presbyterian Church (USA).  Amy Biesemeyer, LMFT with One Nature Therapy, and Marin County clinician, shared how nature can be a powerful tool for hope and wellness.

Lived Experienced presenters, Pam Ward-Pious and Ellen Darnell, shared their prayers and original poetry. Lived experience community member John Butler shared his Catholic faith and the importance of communion for hope.

The event was led by the co-chairs of the BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity’s Spirituality Initiative, Isaac Frederick and Melinda Ricossa, along with consumers, members of the faith-based community, and community-based organizations.  Learn more about the Spirituality Initiative.

San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) is actively recruiting individual practitioners to join our Specialty Mental Health Private Provider Network (SPPN). If you’re looking to enhance your private practice and give back to the community, then joining our network is right for you! BHRS provides a broad spectrum of mental health services for children, youth, families, adults and older adults experiencing serious mental health symptoms. Our providers work closely and collaboratively with our BHRS clinics and are considered part of the BHRS treatment team. Reimbursement rates are highly competitive and additional rates for bilingual services are offered.

Qualifications include:

1. Licensed in California in one of the following: Ph.D., Psy.D., LMFT, LCSW, or LPCC

2.  Medi-Cal enrollment;  required for all providers serving the Medi-Cal population in California. Providers interested in contracting with BHRS must be enrolled or have started the process of enrollment. More information can be found here.

3.  Ability to see clients face to face if requested

4.  Office located within the surrounding counties

5.  Minimum of five openings for new referrals to start

Providers with the following experience, certifications, and/or specialties are strongly encouraged to apply:

1.   Experience working with the MediCal population and MediCal documentation standards

2.  DBT certification or specialty

3.  Eating disorder specialty

4.  EMDR certification

If you have a passion for working with the Specialty Mental Health population and would like to learn more about joining our network, please visit our webpage or contact the Laura Jacobo Smith, LMFT, BHRS Provider Relations Coordinator by calling 650-573-3476 or email: ljsmith@smcgov.org

Each year, San Mateo County joins our state and country in celebrating Mental Health Month (MHM) in May. MHM is one of the best times of the year to increase awareness and inspire action to reduce stigma against those with mental health and substance use conditions.

This year’s theme, aligned with the statewide theme, is #HopeForChange. The past year has undoubtedly brought unanticipated changes for us as individuals, families, and communities–leaving us to face these challenges and transform. Change is not always planned. Growth can be powerful and empowering. It can also be uncomfortable. #HopeForChange reminds us to spread and rely on the hope that carried us through a year of change.
Despite everything that makes us different and unique, we would like to take this opportunity to unify our San Mateo County community around mental wellness and recovery.
For more info about MHM and our free virtual events, visit SMCHealth.org/MHM.

#HopeForChange