To celebrate ten years of promoting mental health awareness and resources for Filipinos and Filipino Americans in San Mateo County,  the San Mateo County Filipino Mental Health Initiative is hosting “Celebrating 10 Years of Bayanihan Spirit: Empowering a Mentally Healthy Community.” This anniversary celebration will feature an educational and festive lineup to engage the community about mental health and why it’s an important part of overall health and wellness.

Join us Saturday, October 22, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, at the San Bruno Senior Center, 1555 Crystal Springs Road. The celebration is free and open to the public. Event panelists will share how mental health conditions affect their lives and how to identify symptoms and seek help. Award winning Filipino Americans journalist Emil Guillermo will be the keynote speaker at the event and discuss the Filipino American media’s role in breaking down mental health stigma. Miss California, Jessa Carmack will also share the importance of developing healthy behaviors in youth.

Attendees also will get the chance to participate in an instructor-led Zumba exercise, see Richgail Enriquez ofAstig Vegan make vegetable-based sisig, get up close and personal with therapy pets, and access health information from the resource fair. The public can sign up for a free ticket in advance here.

We know there is still more work to be done to improve health for Filipinos and Filipino Americans. Over 70,000 Filipinos live in San Mateo County, making up about 10% of the County’s population, and yet make up less than 4% of clients receiving mental health services with San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. Family and caregivers of people with physical or mental health conditions experience higher levels of stress, depression, and social isolation than the general public.

It’s up to all of us to reduce stigma around mental health and substance use so people are empowered to seek treatment.

About the San Mateo County Filipino Mental Health Initiative

The Filipino Mental Health Initiative was founded in 2006 to reduce the stigma of mental health conditions, increase access to services, and empower San Mateo County’s Filipino and Filipino American community through outreach and engagement.  Since its founding, the Initiative has produced educational mental health videos, published a health resource book, provided Tagalog resources, engaged youth and parents at local schools, and conducted community forums, as well as outreach.

Find more information at fmhi.org and Facebook.com/FMHI.SanMateoCounty.