February is Children’s Oral Health Month, and San Mateo County Office of Education(SMCOE) would love your help getting the word out! Please share via your various platforms. English and Spanish files attached below.
Tag Archives: San Mateo County Office of Education
1/27 – The Art of the Possible
San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) is pleased to present The Art of the Possible: Raising Resilient Children and Teens. This free virtual event is next week, on Wednesday, January 27th, from 5:30-6:30pm. There will be live Spanish translation during the event. More information in flyers below.
Learn How to Save a Life: Become a Youth Mental Health First Aider!
Youth Mental Health First Aid is being offered on Wednesday, December 6 and Thursday, December 7 at the San Mateo County Office of Education. Sign up today! Class limit is 30 people.
Learn how to recognize the unique warning signs and risk factors of a mental health challenge and how to offer support that can make a real difference in a young person’s life! Educate and empower yourself to help bridge the gap between an adolescent experiencing a mental health crisis and getting appropriate professional help.
Westmoor High School Peer Assistants trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid
For the third year now, Westmoor High School offered the Youth Mental Health First Aid certification to students in their Peer Assistant class. A total of 24 students were trained and certified in 2 days. The students were trained to identify signs and symptoms of different mental disorders such as Depression, Anxiety, and Psychosis. The students also learned how to self-care and take care of others in the case of a crisis. Instructor’s Kathy Reyes and Natalie Andrade incorporated fun 10 minute dance parties to practice self-care, which the class enjoyed. Many of the students also enjoyed role playing different mental health scenarios and getting involved in the group discussions. Concluding the certification the students decided to take a silly picture!
1 in 5 youth will experience a mental health challenge in their lifetime. Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is an 8-hour public education training program designed for any adult or student peer working with or assisting young people, ages 12-24. In 2013, San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, Office of Diversity and Equity partnered with the County Office of Education to begin offering this training to schools throughout the county. Classroom teachers, school site administrators, school office personnel, coaches, bus drivers, after-school providers, parents, teacher’s aides, school health aides, yard duty staff, crossing guards, peers and other school personnel are strongly encouraged to become Youth Mental Health First Aiders.
The certification at Westmoor High School was made possible through a collaboration between the school’s counselor, Ki Gaines, the peer assistance co-teacher, Mr. Vargas, and the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, Office of Diversity and Equity.
For more information about YMHFA, visit http://smchealth.org/bhrs/ode/CommunityEd#YMHFA or contact Natalie Andrade at nandrade@smcgov.org or 650-372-8548.
Article by Janette Ochoa, Intern with the Office of Diversity and Equity
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