Newsroom
Health System & Community Partners #BetheOneSMC to Bridge Communities to Wellness
Mental Health Awareness Month 2018
WHAT: San Mateo County Health System’s Behavioral Health and Recovery Services is partnering with local organizations throughout the month of May to raise awareness about mental health and substance use issues and the importance of getting help. This year’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) is “Bridging Communities to Wellness,” where all San Mateo County residents can connect to resources that support their well-being, regardless of who they are or where they live in the county.
For World Tuberculosis Day Health System Promotes Testing for a TB-Free California
As the global health community calls attention to tuberculosis (TB) on March 24, the San Mateo County Health System and other Bay Area health departments emphasize the need for testing and treatment to stop the spread of a disease that claimed 1.7 million lives worldwide in 2016.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day by Showing You Care: Know Your Status
Bay Area health officials urge precautions in light of STD increase
This Valentine’s Day, Bay Area health officials remind everyone who is sexually active to have a conversation with your primary care provider and to be screened regularly for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
San Mateo County Health Officials Urge Residents to Get the Flu Vaccine
San Mateo County Health officials are urging everyone six months and older to get a flu vaccine. Even late in the season, as flu activity is increasing in San Mateo County, the best way to protect yourself is to get the flu vaccine. It is available from your health care provider and from local pharmacies. To find a location near you, visit vaccinefinder.org.
A flu vaccination can keep you from getting sick and may make your illness milder if you do get sick. It also helps protect family members and others in the community.
Harley-Riding Santa Delivers Gifts to Kids at San Mateo Medical Center
Public invited to meet Santa and help brighten young patients’ holidays
WHAT: On Saturday, December 9th, at 10:30 a.m. the Golden Gate Harley Owners group and Santa will rumble through the streets of San Mateo to deliver thousands of gifts for children who receive care at San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC), the county’s public hospital, during the holidays. This year’s Holiday Toy Run marks the 28th anniversary of the event.
The public and media are invited to cheer on the riders, meet the Harley-riding Santa, and attend a free reception hosted by the medical center’s volunteers and staff.
Fifth Year Enrollment for Affordable Health Coverage Begins November 1
San Mateo County focuses on insuring immigrant population
The 2018 enrollment period for Californians to sign up for affordable health insurance begins Wednesday, November 1. Tens of thousands of San Mateo County residents will be able to join over four million people who now have affordable health coverage through California’s implementation of the Affordable Care Act and Covered California, the State’s health insurance marketplace. Over 24,700 County residents successfully signed up for or renewed qualified health insurance plans at Covered California during last year’s enrollment period.
San Mateo County Partners Host 5th Annual Latino Health Forum
¡Sana, Sana, Colita de Rana! Cuidate Hoy Para Un Mejor Mañana
To support the Latino community’s physical and emotional health, the San Mateo County Latino Collaborative is hosting the 5th Annual Latino Health Forum, ¡Sana, Sana! “Colita de Rana! Cuidate Hoy Para Un Mejor Mañana,” or “Take Care of Yourself Today for a Better Tomorrow,” highlighting the event’s focus on a healthy mind, body, and spirit.
San Mateo County Commission on Disabilities Helps Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities Take Control of their Future
Join the “Stepping Up for Independence!” San Mateo County Transition to Independence Fair on October 21st
WHAT: On Saturday, October 21, more than 50 community organizations and agencies throughout San Mateo County will gather to provide information and resources to assist over 300 youth and young adults with disabilities, many of whom are transitioning to independence, and provide support for their families.
10th Annual Award Ceremony Honoring “Housing Heroes”
San Mateo County Health System recognizes individuals who help people with mental health and substance use conditions
Finding affordable housing in San Mateo County is more challenging than ever, especially for people who are low-income, or have mental health and/or substance use challenges. A recent report by the Mental Health & Substance Abuse Recovery Commission found the most serious issue facing people with mental health and substance use challenges and family members in San Mateo County is housing instability.
Bay Area Health Officials Encourage Public to Get Vaccinated Early in the Season
Public Health Departments around the Bay Area are announcing that influenza season is beginning. Because the flu is unpredictable and the vaccine takes two weeks to become fully effective, San Mateo County health officials urge everyone six months and older to get vaccinated early in the season. It’s important to get vaccinated prior to the circulation of influenza in your community. Ensuring timely flu shots can prevent a disease that hospitalizes 200,000 Americans every year.
San Mateo County Health System Names David A. Young as New Director of Behavioral Health & Recovery Services
The San Mateo County Health System is pleased to announce that David A. Young, PhD, MPH, has been appointed director of its Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) division. Young succeeds Stephen Kaplan, who is retiring after twelve years of service to the County and four decades in the field of mental health and substance use services.
Thousands to Clean Up San Mateo County on 33rd Annual Coastal and Bay Cleanup Day
WHAT: Thousands of San Mateo County residents will convene at their local beaches, creeks, waterways, parks and neighborhoods to clear tons of trash and debris at the 33rd annual Coastal and Bay Cleanup Day, September 16, 2017. They will be joined by tens of thousands of people across the state, helping to make our communities cleaner and healthier for people and animals.
San Mateo County Health System offers guidance on heat-related illnesses during Labor Day Weekend
The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for hot weather beginning today through the Labor Day weekend. An Excessive Heat Warning is issued when there is a prolonged period of hot temperatures where people can become seriously ill if precautions are not taken. Temperatures could reach up to 110 degrees. There is a high risk of heat related illness, especially for sensitive groups: elderly people, children, sick people, as well as pets and livestock. This heat will also be dangerous to anyone without proper hydration or adequate cooling.
San Mateo County Celebrates National Recovery Month
Community support essential in recovery from substance use and mental health conditions
Now in its 28th year, San Mateo County Recovery Month celebrates people who have reclaimed their lives through recovery from substance use and mental health conditions and honors the greater community that makes recovery possible.
This year’s theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Strengthen Families and Communities,” highlights the value of family and community support and invites people in recovery and their family members to share personal stories of recovery to inspire others.
Get Your Shots for School Early
County Health Department helps you get ready for the first day of school
San Mateo County Health officials want to remind parents to make sure their children’s vaccines are current before the first day of school or child care. State law requires that students receive certain vaccines or they won’t be permitted to attend school or child care, unless they have a valid exemption. This can be challenging for busy parents who are preparing their kids to enter kindergarten or child care for the first time.
Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
While mental illness is a leading cause of disability in the U.S., nearly two-thirds of people with a diagnosable mental illness do not seek treatment—and racial and ethnic groups are even less likely to get help, according to the US Office of Minority Health.
55% of San Mateo County residents identify as people of color. Especially in our majority minority community, challenges faced by minorities are challenges for us all.
From the Director’s Desk
A Right or A Privilege? Since the last edition of Wellness Matters we have celebrated May as Mental Health Month and June as Pride Celebration Month. We’ve also seen the historic opening of the Pride Center in San Mateo County. While these uplifting celebratory events happened there were also ominous developments in Washington D.C. As much as I would like to write about the former and what they mean to our community I am compelled to write about the latter.
County’s First LGBTQ+ Pride Center Officially Opens
Nearly 500 LGBTQ+ community members and allies gathered in San Mateo County this past June 1st to celebrate the historic grand opening of the county’s very first Pride Center. A sense of community, joy and hope was palpable amongst the crowd, which spanned multiple cultures and generations.
Join the San Mateo County Pride Celebration on June 4
Celebrate the diversity and inclusiveness of San Mateo County at the fourth annual San Mateo County Pride Celebration! This year’s theme is Pride without Borders: Embracing Culture and Diversity, which emphasizes the importance of recognizing how culture, race, sexual orientation, and gender identity overlap and affect our community.
Over 2,750 Local Kids Get More Comprehensive Health Coverage in One Day
On May 16, over 2,750 San Mateo County children transitioned to health coverage under Medi-Cal, ensuring they will have high-quality health coverage that provides access to healthcare across California. San Mateo County agencies and partners helped make this seamless transition possible — an example of their commitment to ensuring there are no gaps in health coverage for those who need it most.
San Mateo County Substance Use Disorder Treatment Plan Approved First in the State
Soon, San Mateo County residents who are low income and struggle with substance use will have more places to go for help. Last month, San Mateo County became the first county in the state to receive approval from the California Department of Health Care Services and Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to create a local Drug MediCal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) program.
San Mateo County Hosts 4th Annual Pride Celebration “Without Borders”
On June 4, celebrate the diversity and inclusiveness of San Mateo County at the fourth annual San Mateo County Pride Celebration, 11am to 5pm, in San Mateo Central Park. This year’s theme is Pride without Borders: Embracing Culture and Diversity, which emphasizes the importance of recognizing how culture, race, sexual orientation, and gender identity overlap and affect our community.
Be the One during May’s Mental Health Awareness Month
San Mateo County Health System’s Behavioral Health and Recovery Services is partnering with local organizations throughout the month of May to raise awareness about mental illness and substance use issues, and the importance of getting help.
Tenth ‘Silver Dragon’ Exercise Tests County Readiness for Emergencies
On April 14, from 9:00 am to noon, San Mateo County Health System staff will join local response teams in a large preparedness exercise designed to practice how each group would respond during a major emergency.
San Mateo County Has First Confirmed Case of Zika Virus
San Mateo County Health System today received confirmation from the California Department of Public Health that a San Mateo County resident has tested positive for Zika virus. The individual was infected with Zika virus while traveling abroad and is now fully recovered. No transmission of the disease took place in the United States, and there was no risk of the virus spreading to the local community from this case. To protect patient privacy, San Mateo County is not releasing further details about the confirmed Zika case.
County Launches Life-Saving App to Help Heart Attack Survival
On February 23, the County of San Mateo will launch PulsePoint—a free mobile app that alerts registered CPR-trained users of a heart attack victim in a public place in their immediate vicinity. Users can then start CPR in the critical minutes before emergency teams arrive.
Dr. Susan Ehrlich Steps Down as CEO of San Mateo Medical Center
San Mateo County Health System today announced that Dr. Susan Ehrlich will be stepping down as CEO of San Mateo Medical Center to accept a new position as CEO of Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. Her last day at the Medical Center is March 31, 2016.
New San Mateo County Restaurant Placarding Program Starts in 2016
The new year brings an easier way for the public to understand how restaurants score on food safety inspections, as San Mateo County started to roll out its new restaurant placarding program on January 1, 2016.
Partners across San Mateo County target uninsured “hotspots”
With the January 31 deadline for Californians to sign up for affordable health insurance fast approaching, a network of agencies, community organizations, and hundreds of individuals across San Mateo County are partnering to help every uninsured resident have access to quality, affordable health insurance.
Santa Speeds to San Mateo Medical Center on Harley Loaded with Gifts
Public invited to meet Santa and help brighten young patients’ holidays
On Saturday, December 12, the Golden Gate Harley Owners Group (HOGs) and Santa will rumble into San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) to deliver thousands of gifts for children who receive care at the medical center during the holidays. This year’s Holiday Toy Run marks the 26th anniversary of the event.