Tag Archives: Office of Diversity & Equity

2025 San Mateo County Trans Week of Visibility Celebration: Be-You-Tiful

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San Mateo County (SMC) celebrated and recognized Trans Week of Visibility (TWOV) from March 25th to March 31st, 2025. The week’s events kicked off with a workshop on legal name and gender changes on March 26th, followed by a Trans 101 workshop, the Becoming More Visibly You: Gender Affirmation workshop, a mixer for families and trans kids, and concluded with the Be-You-Tiful Celebration for TWOV. These events were hosted by the incredible staff at the San Mateo County Pride Center and supported by numerous partners and community members demonstrating solidarity and allyship.

The closing celebration was filled with laughter, unity, and new connections, all while enjoying the lively and artistic rhythms of DJ Ambrozia. The evening also featured an impactful and heartfelt speech by Dr. Jei Africa, Director of SMC Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. Dr. Africa highlighted the significance of TWOV, the healing power of community, and the role of love and support in overcoming the most challenging times. His words resonated deeply with everyone in the audience and inspired continued advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community.

Data shows that in 2022, LGBTQ+ individuals reported experiencing the lowest number of days in the past month where they felt healthy and full of energy. They also had the highest number of days in which their mental health was not good, the highest prevalence of self-reported mental or emotional problems, and the highest experience of depression lasting two or more years, compared to others across age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, and poverty levels.

This event not only highlighted the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community but also showcased the unwavering support and valuable resources available in San Mateo County.

The Pride Center’s drop-in hours are Tuesday through Thursday, from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Pride Center is located at 1021 S. El Camino Real in San Mateo, CA 94402.

First Spanish Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Since 2018!

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Version en Español abajo

In true collaborative fashion, members of BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity came together with the San Mateo Office of Education to offer a Spanish Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training with only a month of planning.  The last Spanish YMHFA training offered was in 2018. 

The eight (8) hour in person course curriculum teaches how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adolescents ages 12 – 18.  At the end of the course, participants will be able to: 

  • Describe the purpose of Youth Mental Health First Aid and the role of the Youth Mental Health First Aider.   
  • Recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges that may impact youth.  
  • Explain the impact of traumatic experiences and the role of resilience on adolescent development.  
  • Apply the appropriate steps of the YMHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) to non-crisis and crisis situations.   
  • Choose appropriate methods for self-care following the application of Youth Mental Health First Aid in a crisis or non-crisis situation.  

The training was held over two Saturdays, February 11 and 18 with fifteen (15) individuals becoming certified as Youth Mental Health First Aiders.  We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Juan Cuba and Ivette Melendez who had to re-certify as Spanish YMHFA instructors in a very short time in order to teach the training. 

Another Spanish YMHFA training will be offered to Parent Project graduates and Health Ambassadors by the end of June. 

Here are several comments from the participants: 

  • “Instructors were very clear and knowledgeable about the topics and were great communicators and very dynamic.”
  • “This course was very valuable and it helped me a lot.”
  • “I learned how to listen without judgement, how to speak to youth and offer support.”
  • “You learn things you can put into practice in your family and all the people in our community.”

In community, 

Charo Martinez, Maria Martinez and Twila Dependahl 

De manera verdaderamente colaborativa, los miembros de la Oficina de Diversidad y Equidad de BHRS se unieron con la Oficina de Educación de San Mateo para ofrecer un curso de capacitación en Primeros Auxilios de Salud Mental de Jóvenes (PASMJ), en español, con solo un mes de planificación. La última vez que se ofreció este curso en español fue en el 2018. 

Este entrenamiento presencial de ocho (8) horas enseña cómo identificar, comprender y responder a los signos de retos de salud mental y consumo de sustancias entre los adolescentes de 12 a 18 años. Al final del curso, los participantes podrán: 

  • Describir el propósito de los Primeros Auxilios de Salud Mental de Jóvenes y el rol del Primero Auxiliar de Salud Mental. 
  • Reconocer los signos y síntomas de los retos de salud mental que pueden afectar a los jóvenes. 
  • Explicar el impacto de las experiencias traumáticas y la influencia de la resiliencia en el desarrollo de los adolescentes.  
  • Aplicar los pasos apropiados del Plan de Acción de Primeros Auxilios de Salud Mental (REDES) a situaciones de crisis y no crisis. 
  • Elegir métodos apropiados para el autocuidado, siguiendo la aplicación de Primeros Auxilios de Salud Mental de Jóvenes en una situación de crisis o no crisis.  

El entrenamiento se llevó a cabo durante dos sábados, el 11 y el 18 de febrero, y quince (15) participantes se certificaron en Primeros Auxilios de Salud Mental de Jóvenes. Nos gustaría expresar nuestro más profundo agradecimiento a Juan Cuba e Ivette Meléndez, quienes tuvieron que volver a certificarse como instructores en español de PASMJ en muy poco tiempo para poder dirigir esta capacitación. 

Se ofrecerá otra capacitación de PASMJ en español a los graduados del Proyecto de Padres y Embajadores de Salud antes de fines de junio. 

Aquí hay varios comentarios de los participantes: 

  • “Los instructores fueron muy claros, con gran conocimiento de los temas y fueron excelentes comunicadores y muy dinámicos.”
  • “Este curso fue muy valioso y me ayudó mucho.” 
  • “Aprendí a escuchar sin juzgar, a hablar con los jóvenes, y a ofrecer apoyo.” 
  • “Aprendes cosas que puedes poner en práctica en tu familia y en todas las personas de nuestra comunidad.”

En comunidad,  

Charo Martinez, Maria Martinez y Twila Dependahl 

Caffeinate and Conversate with Canepa: A Discussion on Health Equity

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For a second time the San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) was honored to have the opportunity to support and participate in Supervisor, David Canepa’s “Caffeinate and Conversate with Canepa” series that was held on Saturday, March 25th in Daly City. 

On this occasion the discussion topic was centered on the advancement of health equity and addressing the gaps impeding some communities in attaining services. ODE Director, Dr. Maria Lorente-Foresti and Frances Lobos (ODE Community Health Planner) shared how ODE works to advance behavioral health equity in multiple ways; one is by creating space and opportunities for community members to engage, be active, and provide feedback about their needs via programs like the Health Ambassador Program, Health Equity Initiatives and Parent Project. Secondly, ODE supports BHRS to provide information & services in a culturally responsive ways, which may look like hosting trainings in our county threshold languages and working in collaboration with community partners to provide culturally responsive services and interventions. All participants were provided with information about how to obtain BHRS services and other important community resources.  

In addition to ODE, attendees of the event heard about broader efforts from Lisa Tealer, Executive Director of the Bay Area Community Health Advisory Council (BACHAC), Marmi Bermudez, Senior Manager for Health Coverage Unit and Jessica Ho, Government and Community Affairs Manager at North East Medical Services (NEMS, and even an impromptu testimonial from Health Ambassador, Michael Lim, on the impact of accessing support services. All exemplifying that, as Lisa put it, “it takes a village, to support a village.” 

 To learn more about David Canepa’s past and upcoming events, you can visit his social media pages…  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidCanepaCA/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidcanepa?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidcanepa/?hl=en 

3/31- Cesar Chavez Celebration

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Come celebrate Cesar Chávez on Friday, March 31st from 4pm to 8pm at East Palo Alto Academy (1050 Myrtle St, EPA, 94303). Cesar Chávez was one of the most inspirational labor leaders of the 20th century, with an influence that stretched far beyond the California fields. Join us for free food, raffles, resource connection, speakers and entertainment. Special guest Joaquín Jiménez will be the keynote speaker.

Please share this event with your networks.

Cesar-Chavez-Celebration-PDFDownload

Parent Project Fall 2022 Schedule

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The Parent Project® is continuing this coming Fall with four virtual classes. Please share with your networks and communities.

The Parent Project® is a free, 14-week course that is offered in English and Spanish to anyone who cares for a child or adolescent. The classes meet for three hours each week. Parents learn parenting skills and get information about resources and other support available in their communities. Parents/caregivers learn and practice skills such as:

  • appropriate ways to discipline
  • preventing or stopping alcohol, drug and tobacco use
  • improving communication skills
  • improving grades and school attendance

Spanish All Class Flyer
English All Class Flyer

For more information, visit SMCHealth.org/ParentProject.

Pride Center MHSA Project Outcomes

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The San Mateo County Pride Center opened it’s doors in July 2016 as a Mental Health ServicesAct (MHSA) Innovation (INN)-approved five-year pilot project. Since then, the Pride Center has expanded the network of services available to the LGBTQ+ community, promoted visibility and belonging, and filled gaps in culturally responsive mental health treatment services.

According to the San Mateo County LGBTQ Commission’s 2018 countywide survey of 546 LGBTQ+ residents and employees, fewer than half (43%) of adult respondents felt that their mental health care provider had the expertise to care for their needs. Among LGBTQ+ youth who responded to the survey, three-quarters (74%)
reported that they had considered harming themselves in the past 12 months, and two-thirds (65%) did not know where to access LGBTQ+ friendly health care.

The MHSA INN component allows counties to introduce and evaluate mental health approaches that have not been tried elsewhere, to develop new best practices. The San Mateo County Pride Center was developed as an INN project since the U.S. has no other model of a coordinated approach across mental health, social, and psychoeducational services for the LGBTQ+ community.

The Pride Center offers services in three components:

  1. Social and Community Activities: outreaches, engages, reduces isolation, educates, and provides support to high-risk LGBTQ+ individuals through peer-based models of wellness and recovery that include educational and stigma reduction activities.
  2. Clinical Services: provides mental health services focusing on individuals at high risk of, or with moderate to severe, mental health challenges.
  3. Resource Services and Training: serves as a hub for LGBTQ+ resources. Hosts trainings and events related to sexual orientation and gender identity, and on providing culturally affirmative services.

In FY 2020-21 alone:
• 3,000+ participants served through clinical, social, training, and drop-in services
• 169 unique individuals received clinical services
• 2,700 hours of clinical services were delivered
• 359 community members served across 10 different peer support groups
• 300+ LGBTQ+ older adults were regularly contacted via emails, calls, and support groups

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