Tag Archives: Half Moon Bay

Caring for Half Moon Bay – One Year Later

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As we approach the first anniversary of the Half Moon Bay tragedy that deeply impacted our Coastside community and our entire county, San Mateo County’s Behavioral Health & Recovery Services encourages everyone to prioritize their behavioral health.  Spend time with a trusted friend, schedule an appointment with a therapist, practice self-care, and/or take breaks. In these times, extending compassion to another individual can also make a significant difference. Prioritizing our wellness involves various actions, such as seeking assistance when necessary, incorporating self-care and cultural healing practices into our routines, spending time in nature, or utilizing resources like our Spirituality Matters Card (English and Spanish) or our Community Stress Card (English or Spanish) 

Our hearts and thoughts continue to be with those who were impacted, especially the farmworker community, by the event last January.  

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the numerous individuals and organizations whose unwavering support played a pivotal role in the compassionate response to those affected on January 23, 2023. Thank you to all those who responded, assisted, provided support, and continue to provide support to the Coastside.  

Lastly, please consider attending the One Year Remembrance Ceremony organized by the City of Half Moon Bay being held this Sunday, 1/21, from 4pm to 6pm at the Boys and Girls Club Event Center in Half Moon Bay.  

Additional County Resources: 

  • San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services: ACCESS Call Center at 1-800-686-0101 
  • Ayudando Latinos A Sonar (ALAS): supporting the community and our farmworkers through multicultural practices, mental health care, and social services.  with ALAS. 
  • Coastside Hope: Provides support to enhance the quality of life of the community (crisis intervention, case management, food pantry, health insurance assistance, immigration assistance, tax preparation support, and more) 
  • El Centro de Libertad: Helps individuals, families, and communities of all cultures suffering from the impacts of substance abuse and related issues to achieve and maintain health, strength, and recovery. 
  • San Mateo County Crisis Line (run by Starvista) at 1-650-579-0350 or Text “BAY” to 741741 

In community,
Dr. Jei Africa, Director of San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services

1/27 & 1/31- Half Moon Bay Victim Remembrance

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The Archdiocese of San Francisco, Coastside Interfaith Community, City of Half Moon Bay, County of San Mateo, Chamber of Commerce, and other community-based organizations, have organized a few victim remembrance events that we’d like to announce to you now.

• This Friday, January 27, at 5:00 p.m., please join us at Mac Dutra Plaza, 504 Main Street, for a candlelight vigil ceremony to honor, remember, and pay tribute to the victims of the mass shooting incident. The event’s program will include song and prayer. Spanish, Mandarin, and ASL interpretation will be provided.

• On Tuesday, January 31, at 4:00 p.m., Our Lady of the Pillar Church and the Coastside Interfaith Community will host a memorial service at the Boys & Girl Club Event Center at 530 Kelly Avenue. This service will include prayers and healing words from the interfaith leaders in remembrance of the victims and hope for the future. Spanish, Mandarin, and ASL interpretation will be provided.

• Immediately following the memorial service, a candlelight processional walk will occur down Kelly Avenue, past the Mac Dutra Plaza memorial, and down Main Street to the I.D.E.S. Hall.

• At 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 31, at the I.D.E.S. Hall, 735 Main Street, the City, County, and Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to a Community Gathering for dinner and fellowship as we begin to move forward as a community. If you’d like to join us for the gathering, please register here (https://www.eventbrite.com/…/victim-remembrance…) so we can ensure we are able to host everyone appropriately.

The memorial at Mac Dutra Plaza continues to be available for anyone who wishes to grieve separately or on their own. This event has affected all of us differently. Mental Health continues to be a struggle for many, and we want to remind everyone, especially during this time, that there are resources available. The City’s CARES Team is available 7 days a week, 8:00 a.m. through 6:30 p.m. by calling 988 or 650-713-5467 and the County of San Mateo Crisis Response Team is also available to provide mental health resources by calling 800-686-0101.

Special thanks to Julio Escobar from the Archdiocese of San Francisco – Restorative Justice Ministry for planning and organizing these events for the victims and families. In addition to the events listed above, the Archdiocese will be holding a site blessing ceremony with Archbishop Cordileone on Friday afternoon.

If you or a loved one are in need of mental health support visit here.

May 4: Art of Wellness Festival – Mental Health Awareness Month

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This year, in celebration of May Mental Health Awareness Month (MMHAM), San Mateo County’s annual kick-off event will be on May 4th from 6-9pm at Cunha Intermediate School in Half Moon Bay. 

Did you know 1 in 4 people experience a mental health challenge, but fewer than half are getting the help they need? One of the main reasons for this is due to the large amounts of stigma towards mental health. 

At this FREE event, learn about mental wellness and how to stop stigma in your community. Learn about all the mental health resources available in your community to understand that help is available. 

Enjoy FREE food, dance performances from local dance groups, poetry slams, short film screenings, wellness crafts, and more! 

We welcome everyone! 

Event Fliers

The Importance of Providing Youth Mental Health First Aid in Spanish to Half Moon Bay Residents

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9-23-17 Group PhotoMoonridge Apartments are a secluded apartment complex surrounded by rolling hills in an unincorporated area of San Mateo County, where its residents are predominantly Latinx and monolingual. Providing YMHFA for this community challenged the stigma often associated with mental health and connected residents to resources and supports provided in their area, including what to do if someone is having a mental health crisis or emergency. Supervising Mental Health Clinician Hector Moncada from Coastside Clinic attended the training to answer any questions and provided information on services offered by the clinic and in the community.

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