BE THE ONE in San Mateo County
Did you know one in four people have a mental health condition? Less than half are getting the help they need. Many people do not seek help for themselves or their loved ones because of the stigma surrounding mental illness and the fear that others will judge them.
The more we talk about mental health and how to best help someone, the more likely a loved one will feel empowered to seek help and recover.
Learn more about the County’s stigma reduction campaign and see why people across San Mateo County are pledging to “BE THE ONE” to help fight stigma surrounding mental illness.
How can I help?
- Share this page (scroll to bottom of photo gallery for sharing buttons)
- Post a comment
- Like the page (bottom of page).
- Sign the pledge online if you haven’t already: www.smchealth.org/takethepledge.
- Fill out a pledge sign and send it to ode@smcgov.org, so we can add it to our gallery
- Post your personal pledge in the comments below.
- Learn More ways you can Be The One to help eliminate stigma #BeTheOneSMC, #MentalHealthMonth.
Be The One Photo Gallery
Help my self….. – Marie, East Palo Alto
Give back – Alberto Salazar, East Palo Alto
Ask, “Are you ok?” – Dana, East Palo Alto
Listen with an open ear and an open hearth. – Amparo, East Palo Alto
Inspire people in recovery. – L’Tanya, East Palo Alto
Shear my story about my wellness & recovery……& to speak out against stigma when it comes to mental health & recovery. – Renee, East Palo Alto
Inform the community that hope is closer than one can imagine! – Sergio L., East Palo Alto Community Counseling Center
Scream, shout and say “Mental Illness”…#1 should not be left up to the individual who needs it!! #2 is Mental Illness regardless of how it came about!!! – Kimberly, East Palo Alto
Be the person I want to be to help others – Pedro, East Palo Alto
Reduce stigma through dialogue – Chauncey, East Palo Alto
…ask for help!! – Kava, East Palo Alto
Not stay quiet, and ask for help – Claudia, East Palo Alto
Help, advocate, educate! – Mona, East Palo Alto
Continue listening and give a hand – Jose, East Palo Alto
Listen and care wherever you are. – Lear, East Palo Alto
-Maata, Hayward
Help my self….. – Marie, East Palo Alto
Share that many of us are intelligent, have gone to school and have jobs. – Laura, Pacifica.
Unite people of all ethnic and racial diversity and help them not to suffer in silence. Love you all. – Sara E, Daly City.
Provide a safe space to listen and support – Vanessa, Daly City.
To stand up for my rights and everybody elses. – Karen, DC.
Smile with my heart. – Gary, San Bruno
I am not a stereotype! – Ayanna, San Mateo.
Let everyone know that mental illness is like any other disease. – Marlene, Daly City
Inspire people to educate themselves! – May, Daly City
Listen & offer support – Gloria Romero, San Mateo County
Respect yourself and be recovery. I hope it’s going on to your life. Wanna thank all the people helping me here in the North County community; be strong about your habit; time to change – Leslie Langit
Making a diff. – Maricris C., Sta. Ana
A person in the presence – Maya, San Carlos
Not ashamed; have confidence in yourself; never give up on yourself & your life – Mary, Daly City
compliment others when they help – Janet, Daly City
No judgement; see people not problems – Frank, Pacifica
End stigma minorities experience around mental health/substance use by helping imority families understand the importance of addressing these issues without placing blame on the individual and never giving up on that person – Shafia, San Bruno
Castillo family, San Bruno
Suzanne, San Bruno
Alba, San Mateo
Make a difference – Stra8jacket
San Mateo
Speak your mind… from the heart – Juan, San Mateo
Lorena, San Mateo
Learn, educate, repeat! – Jaime, San Mateo; Rocio, San Mateo
Ana
Help others – Sarafina, San Bruno; Love unconditionally – Emmy, San Bruno; Give a hug – Elijah, San Bruno
Love unconditionally – Emmy, San Bruno
Help others – Sarafina, San Bruno
Give a hug – Elijah, San Bruno
Hope, love yourself – Jorge, Maria, Edward and Felipe – San Bruno
Jey, San Carlos; Maria, Millbrae
Ingrid, San Bruno
Include others
Spread awareness
Break the stereotype and help La Raza! – Sofia, Redwood City
I will be the one to start a conversation – Marissa
Stand up for discrimination in all its forms… Choose happy! – Marcelle, Foster City; Stand up for people with learning disabilities – Alice, Foster City
I pledge to be a listening role model! – Charlie, San Mateo
Accept people wherever they live and how – Darcy, Foster City
Love all
Be a positive influence – Todd
Be a positive influence -Todd
Listen without judgement – Ken, San Mateo
Always listen, never judge -Ed, San Mateo
Raise the importance/value of Chinese people in the community! – Sylvia, San Mateo
Talk about how mental health impacts Vietnamese families! – Mai, Burlingame
Listen and support as best I can – Fracesca, San Mateo
Talk about the things we don’t talk about – Emmy, San Bruno
Mental health is as important as physical health. Seek help with an open mind –
Speak up against stereotypes that minimize Asian people
Kristie
Raise awareness to reduce fear and stigma – Sheryl, Belmont
Smile
Help people stay healthy – Senator Scott Wiener
Advise – Maria and Roxana, Daly City
Create unity in community – Sonja, Mary and Kaitlyn
Speak up!
Compassion for my fellow man – Mono, Daly City; I agree! – Drew, Daly City
End the stigma – Clara, Redwood City
To speak out against stigma! – Ellen
Spread the word that it’s okay to be diagnosed with depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or? – Lance, Belmont
Be vulnerable and open about my own struggles with mental health and homophobia. Queer pride! – Lisa
LOVE! – Mischa, Lucas, Jacob and Jason, Burlingame
Move forward in spite of all of my mental, physical and emotional challenges so I can be an active member of my community!
Keep loving – MK, Burlingame
No Stigma! It doesn’t help. Love does! Happy Pride
Have compassion before judging – Esme, San Mateo
Nancy, San Mateo
Welcome everyone, spread love – Cherie, Daly City
Support all people with open arms and open mind
Witness and hold space with trauma survivors on their healing journey! – Angie, Oakland
Show compassion – Francesca, San Mateo
Listen without judgement – Norma, Shawn, Nolan and Baby 2, San Mateo
Promote LGBTQ and friends square dancing (no stigma)
Fight for the ones with a soft spoken voice and support them always! – Milagros, Redwood City
Stand for love and respect for all!!! – Carmen, Hayward
Listen to the pain and empathize! – Mark, San Mateo
Include all of those in my community as they are, without fear or prejudice – Adam, San Mateo
Listen, speak truth, and confront stereotypes – Jenny, Half Moon Bay; Stan, San Mateo
Inspire people by being yourself! – Lynn, San Carlos
Be a voice for the voiceless – Andres, East Palo Alto
Normalize asking for help (we ALL need it!) – Allyn, San Mateo
Edic, Belmont
Listen and love those battling stigma in the LGBT and mental health community – Jesse, Millbrae
Jessica, San Bruno
Try to support the community, – Alyssa; Make them feel happy and tell them that they shouldn’t be embarrassed – Lana
Love – Camden, San Mateo
Raise awareness of mental health – Eaza, Millbrae
Treat everyone who goes through mental health with non judgement, respect and LOVE – Cierra, San Bruno
Mental illness doesn’t discriminate – it affects all walks of life and socioeconomic demographics. Spread the knowledge! – Chenece, Crystal and Autumn; Conway, AR
Remove stigma around mental health – Kristie, San Mateo County; Spread awareness through art! – Jaelyn, Foster City; Make people laugh – Andrea, Foster City; Lend a helping hand to those who need it! – Devon, Millbrae; Make people happy with dancing – Hikaru, San Mateo; To spread the love to those who feel like they have none – Mimi, San Fransisco
Encourage people to seek help if they need it and discuss mental health more openly in the Filipino community – Athila, San Fransisco
STAY STRONG, Keep the hope! – Theresa, San Mateo
To hug and love you always – Burlingame
Learn more about mental health and substance abuse conditions – Denise, San Mateo
Spread love and tolerance – Michael, San Carlos
Make the difference through love and respect and the Lord – Louise, San Mateo
Stop my voices with my Jesus – Mirack, San Mateo
Bring it on! When it comes to making those who suffer well! – Sara, Colma
Treat people who have mental illness with compassion and respect! – Sharon, Belmont, EPA
Challenge negative stereotypes! – Joyce, San Bruno
Help spread awareness! – J, C and R, San Mateo.
Be There – Doris, San Jose
Enable self actualization and be respectful and supportive of those stigmatized or disenfranchised where permitted – Matt, HMB
#spreadlove; encourage open communciation, listen, normalize, educate – Chris, Sara, Erin, Ashley
Listen, advice and give support. I love to help and rescue people going thru kinds of problems – Susan, HMB
Change the conversation from diagnosis to dialogue – Cardum, San Mateo
Listen and support – Matt and Marilyn, Menlo Park
Warm up the world – Sara, San Mateo
Be a friend to those who need one and to everyone – Sarah, Foster City
Help break down stigma – Fahmida, SSF
Share my story with mental health so others know it really does get better – Natalie, EPA
“But you don’t look sick” Your awareness and support is very important to us – Adi, Daly City
Break harmful stigmas and support mental health community – Colby, San Mateo
Talk, listen and advocate for children – Adriana, San Mateo
Listen without judgement – Saori, SF
Overcome my voices and help others – Miracie, San Mateo
Make everyone happy – Bianca, Millbrae
Stand up to the bullies – Ed, Shoreview and Wide, Milpitas
Share stories of hope – V ili, EPA
Raise awareness in the community of Fair Oaks – Cliff
Honor and listen to those with mental illness – Ramiah, San Leandro
Empower the community – Ziomara and Hector, HMB
Listen and support – Yadhira, Sheryl, Stella, Belmont
Listen with my heart, judgement free
<3
Smile during the rough times – Nate, San Mateo
Remember that “success” is getting up one more time than you fall down – Caroline, RWC
Be an example – Brian, SSF
Challenge negative sterotypes; Share stories of hope – Charmaine, San Mateo
I will listen to you and share my own experiences to stamp out stigma! – Tina, East Palo Alto
Shine a beam of hope on the darkness of stigma
Smile, listen, receive – Jun, San Mateo
Be kind to others even if they are different then you. – Jaimie, Burlingame
Ask if you are ok
Be there when you need me – Youn, San Carlos; Listen to you and I will value your story – Aye Chan, Hillsborough
Keep on going back to school to help others.
To listen – Ashlyn, Burlingame; Respect your story – Kiana, Redwood City
To value your story – Candice, San Mateo
Listen with an open hear and mind – Nancy, San Mateo
Kindness and love radiates fro the heart towards human likeness. I love me and I love you more! – Maria
Raise awareness on mental illness – Ron, San Bruno
Listen with an open heart; keep an open mind and listen.
Keep telling my story!
Keep it hyphy. See how you’re doing.
Make others litty!
Share my own experiences because you aren’t alone – Chenece
Love you through good days and bad – Colleen
Spread positivity and bring hope
Bring positivity
Stay positive and healthy.
Drop-In Center South (Redwood City), Woohoo!
Spread the love
Stay strong for me – Hope, EPA
Help recovery happen – Carlos, San Leandro
Welcome change – Losa, Pacifica; Take lead – Ernestine, San Mateo
Live just for today – EPA
Take the hood out the streets – Johanna
Living the life 1 day at a time – Vince, Pacifica; Make nothing outta something – Thibo, Oakland
Be the change – Dan
To support you all – Edin, Palm Desert
Keep it simple – Zack
13 days clean – Charles, RWC
Support you through it all – Cassandra, EPA
Make a difference in the streets. Take the hood out the streets – Johanna, Spread peace, love and happiness in the streets – Chanel
Give service and love to others – Kathleen, HMB
Listen and to offer my support – Diane, San Mateo
Be by your side as we make the journey or recovery – Scott, SF
Listen and not judge – Celeste, Daly City
I sang taong ipaglalaban ang stigma ng mental illness – Heidi, Daly City
Provide fun health education and safe space for the community – Jimmy, SSF
Listen to the voices often silenced – Beemy, San Jose
To share with generations to come – Tika, San Bruno
Help our youth to challenge and disrupt stigma. – John, Oakland
Break the silence to help heal our community – Steph, SSF
Promueble y apoya a los programas de la salud mental – Lourdes, San Mateo
Play the love notes – Luis, San Mateo
Stamp Out Stigam! – Amanda, Redwood City
Make a differerenc in helping others – Marianne, Daly City
ang gabay sa mga may problema – Ofie, San Mateo
Kaibigan ng nangangailangan – J. San Mateo
Give a shoulder, A.V., HMB
I will be the one to teach, Margarita, HMB
Give hope to people in recovery, Hilda, HMB
Nanca tener miedo de buscar ayuda – Salma, HMB
Improve my life and the lives of those around me, Breen, EPA
Continue to show kindness and love, M.G. RWC
Not judge them, Alina, Newark; Not judge & support theri personal journey, Marie, Daly City
A smile & hug can go along way, K.Z., HMB
Help support otheres, Julian, HMB
Educate & Empower! -Lacey Tauiliili, San Mateo
Listen! -NA, Burlingame
Inspire change for my community, nation, & world. -Kevin Huo
Help other people everywhere. -Darryl, Daly City
Advocate for myself and you can too! -Hollmann Perez, Fremont
Listen when no one else will! 🙂 -Travis, SMUHSD
Speak up for those who need a supportive voice. c: -Kelly, San Bruno
Help others with understanding and kindness. -Alisa
Accept that everyone’s problems are VALID. -Marissa, RWC
Keep my eyes, ears, and hert open to everyone. -Irene, Daly City
To inspire others to stand for wats rite even if there standing alone. -Paola HmB
Ser la persona que… dafé y motivacion. -Familia Ortiz Martinez
Ser la persona que… da Esperansa. -Francisca
Start the Conversation! Mag-Usap Tayo! -California Clubhouse John, San Mateo
Produce: Change makers in our community” and activist to reflect and take action producing more and better DAZ and “mature love” “Education like practice of Freedom.” -Leo Navaaro, Redwood City
Stand up for myself and others. -Jennifer, Redwood City
Help change people’s attitudes towards mental health. -Terrell, San Mateo
Share my experience! You are not alone! -Heather, Belmont
Be nice to everyone – Danny, Maria, Jenny and Jasmin, Half Moon Bay
Speak up – Vaughn, El Granada
Listen, Learn, Act! – Eric, Half Moon Bay
Make a difference! – John, Pacifica
Make a difference – Errol, Daly City
Give hope and support – Chelsea and Shalrram, San Jose
Help support unity, everyone’s life matters – Desiree, San Mateo
I will support my community to stop the stigma – Yolanda, San Mateo
Stand up for myself and others – Jennifer, RWC
Help change people’s attitude towards mental health – Terrell, San Mateo
Share my experience! You are not alone – Heather, Belmont
Apoyar a mi comunidad latina! (Support my Latino community!)
Be Authentic – Al Haysbert, San Mateo
Be Authentic – Al Haysbert, San Mateo
You are brave!! – Monet B., Bay Area
Ayudar a alguien que necesita la información en pegando con familia. (Help someone who needs the information in sticking with family) – Elsa V., Foster City
Rid the stigma – Doug, Foster City
Apoya a mi comunidad latina cuando necesitan ayuda. (Supporting my Latino community when they need help.) – Yolanda R., San Mateo
Help and support break down stigma in the pacific islander community! – Juliet Vimahi, San Mateo
Offer my companionship. – Adriava, San Bruno
Help other people excel! – Eduardo, Redwood City
To listen! – Emmy, San Mateo
Listen! – Natalie, San Mateo
Speak up for mental health treatment – Carol, NAMI SMC
Spread the words and reach out – Mylene, Daly City
Be there to listen and help – Charles, SMFCSD
Represent my community by role modeling hope, wellness and change for all – Theresa, EPA
Stop the stigma! – Linford, San Mateo
Listen with compassion – Suzanne, San Mateo
Respect and love others. We are all the same race…the human one! – Sherri, Hayward
Stand up for wellness and balance in our youth, adults and families – Steve and Syvia, Chinese Health Initiative
To give voice and vote to my people; represent the diversity and always be proud to be Latina.
End stigma in the Filipino Community – Filipino Mental Health Initiative
Spread hope and love – Aaron, Redwood City
Support religious and spiritual practices without discrimination – Dan, SF
Hold space for the experiencese of others – Amanda, San Lorenzo
Let people know that they are NOT alone & there are people who CARE – Eugene and Kile, Daly City
Accepting “we” are all the same and equal, some just need a little extra support – Taneesha, Redwood City
Make people smile one hug at a time – Sheryl & April, Millbrae
![Respect, Love and [be] kind [to] everyone - Gomez Family](https://i0.wp.com/smcbhrsblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_2342.jpg?w=417&h=742&ssl=1 "IMG_2342")
Respect, Love and [be] kind [to] everyone – Gomez Family
Push back against stigma and be a positive role model for others – Cheyenne, Millbrae
Love without judgement – Nancy, Belmont
Love – Aireen, Daly City
![Somos Happy Como Somos [We are happy the way we are...We are all equal] - Shelssy, Redwood City](https://i0.wp.com/smcbhrsblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_2299.jpg?w=422&h=238&ssl=1 "IMG_2299")
Somos Happy Como Somos [We are happy the way we are…We are all equal] – Shelssy, Redwood City
Spread love and joy to ALL! – Hetal, S.F.
Hope, Love Yourself, Recovery – Yesenia, Redwood City
Listen, Love and Learn – Marisol, San Mateo
Encourage everyone to love yourself
Advocate for more mental health services – Mary, San Mateo
Continue to help support awareness in breaking down stigma
Be part of early intervention – Zena, San Bruno
Start the conversation – Narges
Practice acceptace and kindness to empower myself and others
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See the person first– the person with hopes and dreams, the person who lives and loves. No matter how big a problem I may have, as a person I am bigger than any problem. See me first, then my problem.
Lovely initiative. I work for an organization (www.7cupsoftea.com) providing emotional support online via text chat for free. People connect anonymously and can share whatever is on their mind with volunteers trained in active listening. Very happy to support people in my own city in any way possible.
I will be the one to help young men like my son who are isolated and lonely in their illness and cannot help themselves.. I will do this by getting involved in the California Clubhouse which just opened in San Mateo http://www.californiaclubhouse.org a safe place for persons with mental illness to socialize and receive support to finish their education or join the workforce.
I totally agree: There should be NO stigma around mental illness – it is not a choice!
I pledge as a therapist and educator to Speak Out for those without a voice and Listen to those with a voice!
I will be the one to listen, support and speak out!
I will be the one… to listen to your story through your journey. Never give up.
I’ll do my best to advocate more needed services for mental health.
This is great! There should be NO stigma around mental illness – it is not a choice!
voy aser el que sonrria mas para mi familia,y para las personas del condado de San Mareo [I will be the one who smiles the most for my family and to the people of San Mateo County.]
I pledge to Inspire Change
I pledge to advocate seeking professional help for depression