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May 2026
BHRS Director's Newsletter

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Dr. Jei AfricaWelcome to Mental Health Month. Each May, we come together across San Mateo County to elevate the importance of mental health and wellbeing, offering a range of events, resources, and opportunities for connection. 

This work reflects our core commitment to fostering hope, resilience, and community—ensuring that everyone has access to the support they need to navigate mental health and substance use challenges. 

Mental Health Month is a time for action. Whether you are seeking support, building your own wellbeing practices, or standing alongside others through advocacy, there is a place for you. We invite you to participate in events throughout the month, engage in conversations that reduce stigma, and help strengthen a more connected and compassionate community. 

Dr. Jei Africa

Related Content

Overview

2026 Mental Health Month
May is Mental Health Month!

Hosted by The Office of Diversity and Equity

Each May, San Mateo County joins the state and nation in celebrating Mental Health Month (MHM). This month is an opportunity to increase awareness and reduce stigma by inspiring action and sparking meaningful conversation around mental health and substance use conditions. Each year we partner with local agencies and community members to promote events free and open to the public throughout the county.  

Mental Health Is Ours — the theme for 2026 — highlights that mental health belongs to all of us. It is shaped by families, communities, relationships, culture, and lived experience. This theme invites everyone to take ownership of their well-being; while also recognizing the shared responsibility we have to support one another.

Stay tuned for more details on 2026 MHM happenings!

Fast Facts

More than half of people worldwide will live with a mental health condition in their lifetime Source: World Health OrganizationCommunities of color with mental health conditions are less likely to receive mental health services compared to their white counterparts. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health1 in 3 county adults live with a mental health matter. Source: San Mateo County Community Stigma Baselie1 in 3 county 11th grade youth used alcohol or drugs one or more days in the past 30 days. Source: California Healthy Kids SurveyCOVID-19 pandemic triggered 25% increase in prevalance of anxiety and depression worldwide. Source: World Health Organization
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conference room with attendees

Mental Health Equity and Advocacy Roundtable: A Conference Reflection
May 2026 BHRS Director's Newsletter

The Mental Health Equity and Advocacy Roundtable (MHEART) Conference, a partnership with San Mateo County Psychiatry Residency Training Program, Stanford Community Psychiatry Residency and UCSF Public Psychiatry Fellowship took place in Redwood City on April 17. Clinicians, advocates, researchers, patients and policy makers from across the Bay Area gathered for what turned out to be a full day of the kind of honest and grounded conversation that behavioral health work demands.