It is that wonderful time of year! The LC is preparing to host their annual community event to support our very diverse Latino/a/x communities. This year our theme is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.” The event will take place on Saturday, October 26th 12:30-3:30PM at the Mervin G. Morris Boys and Girls Club, 1109 Hilton Street RWC. It is a free, family event to promote behavioral health and reduce stigma, the event will be held in Spanish.
Please help us spread the word by sharing with your clients, friends and family. If you’d like to volunteer please contact Frances Lobos at FLobos@smcgov.org for more information.
Need help right now? The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is open 24/7, confidential, and free of charge. When you call or text 988, or chat on the website, you’ll be connected with a trained counselor who will listen to what you’re going through without judgment. And they’ll work with you to create a plan to keep you safe. You can also contact 988 if you’re worried about someone in your life. Get in touch on your own, or together. Call or text 988 on your phone, or chat on mobile or desktop at https://988lifeline.org/chat/
Events happening this week: 💜9/26 – You Matter: Youth Suicide Prevention Day at allcove in San Mateo 💜 9/30 – Reconozca las Señales de Suicidio en la Comunidad Latinx at 650 Main St, Redwood City
Last week in Morgan Hill (9/12/2024), I attended the Santa Clara County’s Suicide Prevention Conference and participated in a presentation titled, “Increasing the Accessibility of Suicide Prevention Community Trainings via Language Translation vs. Cultural Adaptation: Lessons Learned.” The presentation was led by Dr. Joyce Chu (co-creator of Be Sensitive Be Brave training for mental health and suicide prevention: https://www.smchealth.org/bsbb) and featured community partners for Vietnamese adaptation (Dr. Kathlyn Clementelli) and Tongan adaptation (Leafa Taumoepeau and Maata Misinale. I’m so grateful for each of them!
The lessons learned were so insightful and left the audience thinking about cultural adaptations for different communities, including food, storytelling and working with trusted institutions (community center, church).
Below are links with more suicide prevention information/resources:
Let’s continue talking about mental health, suicide prevention, and feelings of isolation. How can we best address loneliness? The approach may vary depending on age. Whether someone is a child, an older adult, or anywhere in between, there are always ways to foster hope and strengthen connections. Discover signs to watch for and effective strategies for every age group in our new resource, Love Over Loneliness for All Ages: https://takeaction4mh.com/toolkit-categories/suicideprevention/
Events happening this week: 💜 9/13 at 5:30PM in San Mateo | Open Book, Open Hearts Workshop – This workshop will provide insight on the importance of self-care for mental health, an overview of warning signs for suicide prevention, and share community resources. 💜 9/14 at 12PM in Foster City | One at a Time Workshop – The goal of the workshop is to educate about mental health and suicidality by shifting the focus to prevention strategies and outlining steps that can be taken prior to crisis. 💜 9/15 at 1PM in San Carlos | One at a Time Workshop – The goal of the workshop is to educate about mental health and suicidality by shifting the focus to prevention strategies and outlining steps that can be taken prior to crisis. 💜 9/17 at 10AM in Belmont | Suicide Prevention Awareness for Seniors- Participants will learn what the risk factors are and the warning signs of suicide, how to utilize effective coping strategies, build resilience, and where local community resources are located.
Today, September 10, is World Suicide Prevention Day. This year’s theme is “Change the Narrative”— because it’s time to talk more openly and honestly about suicide and suicide prevention. That can start with lighting a candle. Put it near your window at 8 PM tonight to visibly show your support for preventing suicide in our communities. It’s also a way to honor loved ones we have lost, and loved ones who have survived. #WorldSuicidePreventionDay Learn more at SMCSuicideprevention.com
Events happening this week: 💜 9/10 at 4PM in Belmont in San Mateo | Communal Candle Decorating Workshop – Join us as we decorate candles to show support for suicide prevention and to remember a lost loved one. 💜 9/13 at 5:30PM in San Mateo | Open Book, Open Hearts Workshop – This workshop will provide insight on the importance of self-care for mental health, an overview of warning signs for suicide prevention, and share community resources. 💜 9/14 at 12PM in Foster City | One at a Time Workshop – The goal of the workshop is to educate about mental health and suicidality by shifting the focus to prevention strategies and outlining steps that can be taken prior to crisis. 💜 9/15 at 1PM in San Carlos | One at a Time Workshop – The goal of the workshop is to educate about mental health and suicidality by shifting the focus to prevention strategies and outlining steps that can be taken prior to crisis.
It’s officially Suicide Prevention Month, and next week is Suicide Prevention Week! Let’s use this time to give people hope and the strategies we all need to prevent suicide. We want to help undo the stigma. Next week, we’ll be posting content and resources so you can know the signs and break the ice when you need to talk.
Also, check out San Mateo County’s free events throughout September for Suicide Prevention Month. They’re free and open to the public, a mix of virtual and in-person. We’d love to see you! Visit our website for more information: https://smcsuicideprevention.com
Upcoming event: 💜9/10: Communal Candle Decorating Workshop at Belmont Library
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF LOSS OF LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITY It is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge the tragic passing of a community member in Menlo Park last week. We recognize that this event may have deeply impacted many individuals such as families, friends, and the community. Many emotions may be evoked – heartache, sadness, confusion, grief, anger, or despair. We encourage everyone take a moment to reflect on the importance of mental health and the struggles that they may face. As the Suicide Prevention Committee for San Mateo County, we recognize and are committed to fostering an environment of compassion, understanding, and support for those in need.
If you, or someone you care about is experiencing mental health distress or crisis, please reach out to Crisis Hotline at (650) 579 – 0350 or dial 988.
Resources are available, you are not alone and there is help available.
COMMITTEE UPDATES
Latest Updates
Discussed at the last SPC meeting, San Mateo County Suicide Prevention website is accessible to public: https://smcsuicideprevention.com/
Monthly Meetings
Upcoming Regular Meeting: Tuesday, 09/03/2024 from 2pm-3pm In-person Meeting, Group Photo (2:30pm) & Distribution of Outreach Materials
San Mateo County Health, Building E, 310 Harbor Blvd, Belmont, CA 94002
Join us as we decorate candles to show support for suicide prevention and to remember a lost loved one.
In addition, youth-centered local organizations will be tabling with information and giveaways. Snacks will be provided.
09/17/24– Twin Pines Senior and Community Center, 10am | Suicide Prevention Awareness for Seniors
Join us during National Suicide Prevention month as we provide seniors with essential information and resources, to address mental health challenges and reduce the risk of suicide. Through an informative presentation, and tabling by community partners, participants will learn what the risk factors are and the warning signs of suicide, how to utilize effective coping strategies, build resilience, and where local community resources are located.
NEWS
This section includes news that intersects with our local suicide prevention work:
This is a two-hour foundational workshop that infuses culture and diversity throughout. The County offers a Mental Health version and a Suicide Prevention version.
This is an eight-hour skills-based training course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health or substance uses signs or crises. The County offers a youth and adult version of this workshop. For more information, contact: Sylvia Tang stang@smcgov.org
CALL TO ACTION!
We have the power to make a difference. By spreading awareness, providing support, and advocate for change, we can help people create a world where they feel seen, heard, and supported.
Here are ways you can help:
Actively participate in the next SPC meeting:
*IN-PERSON* Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024, 2pm-3:00pm (Group photo at 2:30PM)
Invite Someone New!
Ask new stakeholder, partner, agency, organization, community member to join the SPC mailing list.
Announcements?
Have an important commission meeting? Upcoming event you would like to highlight?
Send an email by the second Tuesday of each month for co-chairs review towalter.ng@star-vista.org
QUESTIONS OR FEEDBACK?READY TO GET INVOLVED? CONTACT US!
Sylvia Tang, MPP (She/Her) Community Health Planner San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services (BHRS) Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) stang@smcgov.org (650) 208 – 5799
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.
This semester, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services’ Office of Diversity and Equity partnered with One East Palo Alto to provide an in-person Parent Project class facilitated in English with a Samoan/Tongan/Pacific Islander lens. One week ahead of Parent Project graduation, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services’ Office of Diversity and Equity provided a presentation to the class highlighting how to access Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, what resources and trainings we offer at the Office of Diversity and Equity, as well as an introduction to our Health Equity Initiatives and the Health Ambassador Program.
Our Health Education Associate and May Mental Health Month Co-Chair, Maria Martinez (she/her), co-facilitated the presentation alongside the Parent Project Program Coordinator, Nicoletta Kelleher (she/her). The Parent Project® curriculum urges the importance of parents and caregivers caring for themselves, as it is vital to support yourself so you can care for your loved ones. In an effort to brainstorm ways to support one’s mental health, Maria facilitated a May Mental Health Month self-care activity from Take Action’s “Reimagine Mental Health” Mini-Journal. As a class, we shared our “pick-me-ups” or activities we do to for self-care when we are feeling stressed. As a support group, parents and caregivers shared their favorite self-care activities that help them when they are feeling overwhelmed our stressed. Some examples included doing yoga, playing the ukulele, going for a drive, etc. Maria and Nicoletta also encouraged parents to utilize this mini journal for parents and caregivers complete these exercises with their children and loved ones as a bonding activity to do together. Maria also provided participants with the “Reimagine Mental Health” goal setting work sheets packet, to ensure participants are able to plan and monitor their mental health and self-care goals.
Thank you, Maria Martinez, for all of your efforts in spreading May Mental Health Awareness amongst our Parent Project participants! To learn more about San Mateo County’s Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Office of Diversity and Equity’s May Mental Health Month, visit SMCHealth.org/MHM. To access Take Action for Mental Health’s resources, please visit takeaction4mh.com/.
Please join us for the San Mateo County Pride Parade and Celebration, “Love at Our Core, Pride in 2024!” this Saturday June 8 at San Mateo Central Park, 50 E 5th Ave, San Mateo. The parade will start at 10:30 a.m. at B Street and 2nd Avenue and end at Central Park where the Celebration will be from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Both events are open to all at no cost and are sober events. The Pride Celebration will have live entertainment, live DJ, resource and vendor booths, local food trucks, family and pet friendly activities and more.
The LC is preparing to host their annual community event to support our very diverse Latino/a/x communities. This year our theme is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.” The event will take place on Saturday, October 26th 12:30-3:30PM at the Mervin G. Morris Boys and Girls Club, 1109 Hilton Street RWC. It is a free, family event to promote behavioral health and reduce stigma, the event will be held in Spanish.
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