Tag Archives: National Day of Prayer

Interfaith National Day of Prayer Ignites Healing and Hope

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San Mateo County (SMC) Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) held its 10th annual Interfaith National Day of Prayer on October 11, 2025. This event brought together community and faith leaders from diverse traditions to promote healing, unity, and collective well-being across all spiritual and religious beliefs.

The event opened with a land acknowledgment by the Native and Indigenous Peoples Initiative (NIPI) and an ancestral blessing by Ramona Laughing Brook Webb. Elder Pam Ward Pious, Co-Chair of the Spirituality Initiative, shared her lived experience and poetry on the power of faith and resilience. Reverend Katie Goetz spoke about the day’s meaning and her congregation’s inclusive welcome message.

Dr. Maria Lorente-Foresti shared insights on the connection between spirituality and healing, highlighting how BHRS supports spiritual well-being through its policies and Health Equity Initiatives. Yolanda Ramirez, from the Office of Consumer and Family Affairs (OCFA), led a bilingual reading of the Serenity Prayer. Dr. Tia Bell closed with a guided meditation centering on peace and renewal.

A particularly moving part of the program was when courageous community members shared how faith has guided their recovery and wellness journeys. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Sam, Ebony, Riley, and Armando for their openness, hope, and resilience, which illuminated the path of healing and inspired others through faith and connection.

The SMC Interfaith National Day of Prayer reminded us that healing and hope strengthen when we unite in compassion and collective strength.

Written by Dr. Tia Bell, BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity

10/1 – Interfaith National Day of Prayer: You Are the Light in Loneliness & Healing

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Join us for Interfaith National Day of Prayer on Tues, 10/1/24, 12PM-2PM at 400 County Center, Redwood City! 

We are ALL touched by mental illness. Only with the guidance, prayers and actions from our faith and behavioral health networks working together, will our communities reach better mental health and well-being.

At the Day of Prayer for Behavioral Health and Understanding, faith and secular leaders will join hundreds of events around the country to publicly recommit ourselves to replace misinformation, blame, fear and prejudice with truth, inclusion and love in order to offer hope and support to those most in need.

Community members, consumers, family members, faith community and behavioral health providers all welcome!

The National Day of Prayer has been observed in San Mateo County since 2016.

For more information contact: Isaac Frederick at ifrederick@smcgov.org or Pam Ward Pious at wpam3238@gmail.com.

10/10 – National Day of Prayer: Serenity for Behavioral Health & Understanding

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Join us for National Day of Prayer: Serenity for Behavioral Health & Understanding on Tuesday, 10/10 from 12pm to 2pm at 400 County Center, Redwood City!

We are ALL touched by mental illness. Only with the guidance, prayers and actions from our faith and behavioral health networks working together, will our communities reach better mental health and well-being.

At the Day of Prayer for Behavioral Health and Understanding, faith and secular leaders will join hundreds of events around the country to publicly recommit ourselves to replace misinformation, blame, fear and prejudice with truth, inclusion and love in order to offer hope and support to those most in need.

Community members, consumers, family members, faith community and behavioral health providers all welcome!

The National Day of Prayer has been observed in San Mateo County since 2016.

This event will be in-person with livestreaming. To register for the livestreaming, click here.

Flyers-National-Day-of-PrayerDownload

October 2 – National Day of Prayer

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Tuesday, October 2nd will be the 3rd Annual National Day of Prayer for Behavioral Health and Understanding. Faith and Secular leaders will join hundreds around the country in an effort to replace the blame, fear and prejudice surrounding behavioral health issues with truth, inclusion and love. Community members, consumers, family members, behavioral health providers and the faith community are all welcome. The event will be held at the courtyard of 400 County Center, Redwood City.

For more information see the event flier or contact William Kruse at (510)-506-3815 or  Melinda Ricossa at (650)-372-8573.