Tag Archives: Mental Healthy Awareness Month

May Mental Health Awareness Month Kick Off

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May Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) Kick Off Event was a huge success with over 100 people in attendance. The Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE), along with other organizations serving San Mateo County,  led the planning of this event and many have organized a variety of events throughout the month of May.  The “Be the One” slogan is this year’s MHAM theme and the primary goal is to raise awareness and reduce stigma against individuals with mental health or substance use conditions and learn how to be the one to help.

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This year’s Kick Off event consisted of resource tables, a “Be the One” photo booth, art display, community artwork and a digital storytelling panel.  Individuals with lived experience with mental health and/or substance abuse conditions shared their stories through a short video they created that included any combination of video, sound, music, animation, photographs, and other images of their choosing.  Digital stories are an effective means of shedding light on important social issues including stigma and empowering individuals, as they share their personal journey.

Following is a list with links to view the digital stories that were screened in MHAM_KickOff_Image#2this year’s kick off event:

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Overall, the the kick off event was a humbling and inspiring experience as participants had the opportunity to listen to speakers who shared their personal stories with behavioral health conditions and also offer their voice through community artwork and their pledges to reduce stigma at the  Be the One photobooth.

ODE thanks all the organizations and planning committee members for the work they put into organizing a very successful Kick Off event, and the events throughout the month of May, as well as all the community members and providers who came out in support!

Written by: Martha Gonzalez

 

May 10 is Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day

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With May being recognized as National Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, the State of California, the City & County of San Francisco, and the City of Austin have established May 10 as Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day. This recognition highlights the importance of raising awareness about mental health and promoting mental wellness in the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

Executive Director of the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA) emphasized the key relationship between both recognitions being in May and stated, “Mental Health is also finding the joy in embracing our cultural heritage, of being proud of who we are, and celebrating our differences and the things that make us unique.  It is recognizing that we all have something to offer regardless of our cultural heritage, languages spoken, our place of birth, our sexual orientation, social economic status or religious belief.”

You can get involved in promoting mental wellness in the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in San Mateo County by joining one or more of the below Health Equity Initiatives from the Office of Diversity and Equity of the San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services:

Chinese Health Initiative
Last Thursday of the Month, 3:00–4:30pm
2000 Alameda de las Pulgas, Room 201 in San Mateo
Contacts: Steve Sust (susts@stanford.edu) and Sylvia Leung (sleung@smcgov.org)

Filipino Mental Health Initiative
3rd Thursday of the Month, 3:30-5:00pm
Pilipino Bayanihan Resource Center
2121 Junipero Serra Blvd in Daly City
Contacts: Eugene Canotal (ecanotal@smcgov.org) and Jennifer Jimenez Wong (jensjimenez@gmail.com)

Pacific Islander Initiative
1st Tuesday of the Month, 6:00-7:30pm
Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center
1660 S Amphlett Blvd Suite 219 in San Mateo
Contacts: Juliet Vimahi (jvimahi@pcrcweb.org) and Seini Mateialona (smateialona@pcrcweb.org)