Tag Archives: Office of Diversity and Equity

Self-Care Everyday Series: Psychological Self-Care

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After delving into emotional self-care, our next focus is psychological self-care, a related yet distinct aspect of self-care. While emotional self-care strengthens our emotional resilience, psychological self-care aids in learning to ease our “fight or flight” responses, thus soothing our nervous systems and creating room for deeper self-awareness.  

Psychological self-care involves nurturing growth, whether personal or professional, and direction attention to elements within our control. Dedicating moments to notice our inner thoughts, feelings and experiences builds awareness and encourages growth in areas where improvement is possible.  

Psychological self-care encompasses a variety of activities, including, but not limited to: 

  • Make time away from phones, work and the internet  
  • Make time for self-reflection  
  • Notice your inner experience – listen to your thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, feelings 
  • Have your own personal therapist/counselor        
  • Write in a journal  
  • Read literature that is unrelated to work  
  • Do something at which you are an expert or in charge  
  • Attend to minimizing stress in your life 
  • Engage your intelligence in a new area (e.g., go to an art show, sports event, theatre) 
  • Be curious 
  • Say no to extra responsibilities sometimes 

The possibilities for psychological self-care are diverse and adaptable to individual preferences and needs. By prioritizing psychological self-care through these practices, we learn to ease our “flight or fight” responses which alleviates our nervous systems, thus creating room for us to become one with true our inner selves. 

Exploring my psychological self-care now involves delving into photography, a passion I’ve cherished for years. Integrating photography into my well-being routine is a mindful practice, achieved by strolling through my neighborhood and capturing the beauty of nature. These walks serve as a digital detox forcing me to disconnect from technology, while photography serves to ease for my mind, unleashing my inner creative child to run wild. Each image I capture reflects my unique perspective on the world, reminding me of the importance of carving out daily moments for myself and my self-care. See below for some photos I’ve taken for my psychological self-care.

Sources:  
Iowa’s Area Education Agencies: Mental Health and Wellbeing 
Mental Health Guide: Psychological Self-Care 

Written by Ayanna Wade (she/her), BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity Intern

Self-Care Everyday Series: Emotional Self-Care

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Another facet of self-care is emotional self-care. To simplify, think of emotional self-care as effectively managing emotional distress. Stress manifests in various forms, thus it is crucial to equip ourselves to combat distress when it arises. An effective strategy to combat distress is leveraging our personal strengths. This can be achieved through daily positive affirmations and exploring new avenues of embracing self-love. Often, we are too caught up in the whirlwinds of life to pause in the present moment and acknowledge the small victories we make each and every day. 

By actively engaging in emotional self-care and fostering mindfulness, we become cognizant of detrimental habits disadvantageous to our overall emotional well-being. Through this newfound awareness, we strengthen our emotional resilience while simultaneously prioritizing our health and wellness.  

Emotional self-care encompasses a variety of activities, including, but not limited to: 

  • Spending time with others whose company we enjoy 
  • Giving affirmations that promote self-love 
  • Buying ourselves a present 
  • Practicing forgiveness, not only among others, but with ourselves as well 
  • Re-reading favorite books, re-viewing favorite movies and tv shows 
  • Identifying comforting activities, objects, people, places and seeking them out 
  • Allowing ourselves to cry 
  • Finding things that make us laugh 
  • Social justice engagement 

The possibilities for emotional self-care are diverse and adaptable to individual preferences and needs. By prioritizing emotional self-care through these practices, we lay the foundation for effectively managing stress, nurturing personal relationships, and embracing life’s experiences more fully. 

An essential part of my emotional self-care routine revolves around incorporating positive and loving affirmations to enhance my emotional well-being. I create what I refer to as “self-love notes” using sticky notes, strategically placing them where I’ll appreciate them as soon as I wake up and before I go to bed. This practice ensures I begin and end my days with a sense of gratitude. Moreover, these notes serve as a gentle reminder to give myself grace, particularly during challenging days that take a toll on my physical and mental emotional well-being. 

Written by Ayanna Wade (she/her), BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity Intern

Congratulations to Dr. Maria Lorente-Foresti for Induction to the San Mateo County Women Hall of Fame!

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On Friday, 3/8/24, at Skyline College, Director of Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Office of Diversity & Equity (ODE), Dr. Maria Lorente-Foresti was inducted into the San Mateo County Women Hall of Fame. The ceremony landed on International Women’s Day and was a celebration of incredible women throughout San Mateo County.  

Dr. Maria Lorente-Foresti has excelled in many different roles within San Mateo County including a psychologist, behavioral health clinic Unit Supervisor, Parent Project Program Coordinator and Director of ODE. With these different roles, Dr. Lorente-Foresti has made many impactful contributions in advancing the behavioral health & well-being of our San Mateo County community, especially for marginalized and underserved populations. For County community, she has supported the San Mateo County Pride Celebration and Sana Sana Events since inception and developed and implemented policy allowing behavioral health providers and clients to openly talk about how spirituality shapes a participant’s mental health and well-being.  

Dr. Lorente-Foresti’s leadership style is a unique combination of compassion, collaboration and perseverance. She brings these qualities into her work, community and family. In her family she is a single working caregiver supporting her elder parents and her son. In her community, she participates and supports community organizing for racial equity. And in her work, she leads with love and compassion despite forces of fear, hate and racism persisting in many parts of our society. Overall, she has an energy and brightness that shows she never loses sight of humanity and a larger vision where each one of us in San Mateo County may realize a healthy and meaningful life.  

Dr. Lorente-Foresti states in her acceptance speech, “I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina… during this journey my parents and my brother showed me resiliency, how to navigate challenges and the importance of community.” 

As Maria describes impactful moments in her life that shape her work she states, “these experiences are intertwined with my parents instilling in me the values of compassion sacrifice hard work in addition to a deep understanding that to create change you need many hearts and many hands.”  

Additionally, Dr. Lorente-Foresti has empowered staff and local community members to support and advocate for behavioral health equity and social justice for the San Mateo County community. While she advanced the wellness of employees, she also empowers employees to share their voice and shape the behavioral health system they work in and larger communities they are part of. For example, she engages her staff to engage in the unit decision making process as much as possible. She wants her staff to be empowered to shape the work of the team including strategy implementation, operations and employee engagement.  

The Women Hall of Fame recipient also plays a pivotal role in advancing multi-cultural organizational development for San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services, supporting Government Alliance for Racial Equity (GARE) cohort and staff training for San Mateo County Health (now expanded Countywide), serving on the County Equal Employment Opportunity Committee and leading BHRS Health Equity Initiatives for the larger community.  

Once more, congratulations to Dr. Maria Lorente-Foresti for the honor she brings to Behavioral Health & Recovery Services!  

Recording of the event will be shared on San Mateo County Youtube.  

Watch CBS’ Coverage of the event here.  

Learn more about the San Mateo County Women Hall of Fame here.  

Congratulations to 13 New Health Ambassador Graduates!

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On February 7th, 2024, Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Office of Diversity & Equity‘s Health Ambassadors welcomed 13 new graduates of the Health Ambassador Program. This is the first in-person graduation since 2019, and it was a spectacular evening filled with joy, community, and connection. The evening consisted of the awards ceremony, a slideshow highlighting the successes of the program over the past few years, and guest speakers/ presenters including Dr. Maria Lorente Foresti, Scott Gruendl, Clara Boyden and more.

Some of the successes highlighted from Fiscal Year 21-22 and Fiscal Year 22-23 include:
– 119 unduplicated clients served
– 21,000 individuals served
– 45 resource tables
– 10 trainings to support/advocate for behavioral health wellness
– 4 Focus groups: retired Congresswoman foundation, MHSA 3-Year plan, Youth Commission Roadmap, State Suicide Prevention campaign.

The Health Ambassadors also played a key role in COVID-19 support and outreach including:

  • Production of 4 Facebook Live community events to support San Mateo County COVID Response
  • Creation of PSAs -in English, Zapotec, Tongan, Tagalog, and Spanish to promote vaccination.
  • Distribution of mental health support and masks in laundromats, grocery stores, and food bank sites.

About the Health Ambassador Program:
Health Ambassadors are individuals who are committed to helping to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals in their community and complete the Health Ambassador Program. San Mateo County’s Behavioral Health and
Recovery Services (BHRS) Health Ambassador Program was created in recognition of the important role that community members serve in effectively reaching out to others.

As a community member with knowledge and experience, you can make a difference in the lives of families, friends, neighbors, and other members in your community who may be experiencing symptoms of a mental illness and/or a substance use problem.

Learn more at SMCHealth.org/HAP.

3/29 – 2024 Cesar Chavez Celebration

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Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Office of Diversity & Equity‘s Latino/a/x Collaborative is partnering once again with Voices of Recovery for the 3rd Annual Cesar Chavez Celebration.  This year the event will take place on Friday, March 29, 4:30-8 pm, at the East Palo Alto Academy!

Our San Mateo County community members and families will get to enjoy free food, entertainment, arts and crafts activities, resources, raffles, and speakers, including our very own Amazing Director and San Mateo County’s Women Hall of Famer, Dr. Maria Lorente-Foresti. 😊

See flyer for more information.

240227-Cesar-Chavez-Event-FINALDownload

Save the Date: 2024 Pride Parade & Celebration

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You’re invited to join the celebration at our epic 12th Annual San Mateo County Pride Celebration! Kick off the celebration with us at our 2nd Annual Pride Parade beginning at 2nd Street & B Street in San Mateo at 10am. The parade will make its way to the Pride Celebration at San Mateo Central Park from 11am to 5pm.

This event is free and sober. Come enjoy resource and vendor booths, entertainment, food trucks, live DJ, and more!

More info at https://www.smcpridecelebration.com

Self-Care Everyday Series: Physical Self-Care

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One important aspect of self-care involves caring for our physical well-being, extending beyond solely exercising. Physical self-care is crucial for maintaining overall health and enhancing our quality of life. Our daily habits significantly influence our well-being, whether we realize it or not. Engaging in intentional physical self-care practices such as prioritizing physical fitness, adopting healthy eating habits, staying informed about medical issues, preventing diseases, avoiding injuries, and maintaining healthy sleep patterns can greatly contribute to our overall well-being. 

By consciously practicing physical self-care and cultivating awareness, we can become attuned to bodily sensations that we may have previously overlooked. This heightened awareness enables us to make informed choices that promote our health and wellness. 

Physical self-care encompasses a variety of activities, including, but not limited to: 

  • Consistently eating nutritious meals 
  • Regular exercise routines 
  • Seeking regular preventive medical care and timely treatment when necessary 
  • Allowing ourselves adequate rest when ill 
  • Incorporating massages into our routine for relaxation and muscle health 
  • Spending quality time with a partner or loved ones 
  • Ensuring sufficient sleep 
  • Wearing clothing that makes us feel comfortable and confident 
  • Taking breaks and vacations to recharge and rejuvenate 

The possibilities for physical self-care are diverse and adaptable to individual preferences and needs. By prioritizing our physical well-being through these practices, we can nurture a healthier and more fulfilling life. 

A key aspect of my physical self-care routine involves engaging in strength training and running. Engaging in strength training and running offers me a precious chance to immerse myself in the present moment, away from the pressures of daily life. During these activities, I find peace in focusing solely on the task at hand. By the end of my workouts, I often discover that either my previous worries have faded away, or I’ve unconsciously discovered solutions to my concerns simply by allowing myself to pause and be fully present in the moment. 

Written by Ayanna Wade (she/her), BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity Intern

Happy Lunar New Year from Chinese Health Initiative!

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The Chinese Health Initiative (CHI) hosted a celebration gathering on Friday, February 5, 2024, with its members to honor the Lunar New Year and to build community. The meeting was filled with traditional Lunar New Year snacks and decorations. Over 20 members shared their favorite Lunar New Year memory growing up, learned more about Lunar New Year, played games, and practiced Laughing Yoga, led by Alysa Stanford from wellness program. The room was filled with laughter and joy. It was a successful celebration to welcome the Year of the Dragon with the community!

To learn more information about Chinese Health Initiative, visit SMCHealth.org/CHI.

Reflecting on Culture in the Workplace

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We are so blessed to be surrounded by a multitude of cultures, thoughts, and perspectives within our workplace. Every day we have opportunities to connect and effectively communicate when others are willing to share, and we are willing to listen. Overall, our workplace can be a great place to celebrate our cultures coming together. Here are some examples of how we can celebrate culture in the workplace!

Connection: As we continue sharing stories, experiences, and learn similarities among each other, we can connect on different levels which fosters growth within our workforce and trust within the communities we serve. For example, many cultures place heavy importance on family, particularly elders which may guide decision making. Furthermore, at times, especially when the events of the world feel darker and our hearts feel heavy, connections help draw us back to each other and to the challenges that we can only overcome together. These struggles remind us of the fragility of humanity and that work, though seemingly an isolated space, is still yet another environment where we can potentially grow and heal with others.

Communication: Communication has always been key to increased understanding, but the key to communication can differ depending on the individual and their culture. Learning about the values of our teammates and the way they work can be vital in our efforts to collaborate, achieve work goals and overcome challenges. For example, within BHRS’ Office of Diversity & Equity, our team’s simple but important discussion of love languages helps us support each other more effectively. This deeper understanding gives insight about how to lift one another up. In turn, the creation of these environments allows for a better space to be productive and progressive.

Celebration: Culture is such a great thing to celebrate! From the preservation of language, art, holidays, to traditions, our workforce represents such a range of exciting backgrounds. Each lens reflects the hearts of the individuals within our workforce and the unique perspectives that we can access as we evolve our approaches to care.

My hope is that we continue to embrace culture within the workplace, ask questions and celebrate the beauty of our melding cultures!

Written by Irene Pham (she/her), BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity Workforce Education & Training (WET) Training Coordinator

2/29 – Honoring our Shared Humanity: Countering Islamophobia and Antisemitism  

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Hello, 

Islamophobia and antisemitism are on the rise locally due to international events. People in our community have lost loved ones, experienced increased hate and divisiveness, and some have lost a sense of belonging and community.    

  The County of San Mateo Office of Racial and Social Justice is partnering with the Islamic Networks Group (ING), County Health’s Office of Diversity and Equity, the Spirituality Initiative, and the Peninsula Solidarity Cohort to host a webinar to increase understanding and belonging as we acknowledge the experiences of many Jewish, Muslim, Israeli, Palestinian, and Arab communities, among others in San Mateo County, and strive towards connecting across our shared humanity.

Zoom Webinar Event: Honoring our Shared Humanity: Countering Islamophobia and Antisemitism 
Date/Time: Thursday, February 29th, 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm 
Register: http://bit.ly/smcsharedhumanity 
Interpretation Available: Arabic, Mandarin, and Spanish.  

We would like to make this webinar accessible. If you have other language needs or methods that can help increase accessibility for you, please email us by 2/22: equitysmc@smcgov.org.  

The live webinar will feature Maha Elgenaidi and Karen Stiller, Muslim and Jewish speakers from the ING Interfaith Speakers Bureau, in a facilitated conversation and Q&A with Pastor Bussey, co-chair of the Peninsula Solidarity Cohort. The webinar will address the following topics: 

  • Understanding the history of Islamophobia and antisemitism and how they manifest today. 
  • How to counter both forms of bigotry. 

We hope you can join us in support of our shared humanity across all our diverse communities in San Mateo County. 

**Please note, attached are outreach materials in Arabic, Mandarin, and Spanish.**

In community, 
Isaac Frederick & Pam Ward-Pious
Co-Chairs of BHRS Spirituality Initiative

Anti-Hate-Webinar-Flyer-SpanishDownload
Anti-Hate-Webinar-Flyer-ArabicDownload
Anti-Hate-Webinar-Flyer-Simplified-ChineseDownload
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