Mental Health Month
Hosted by The Office of
Diversity and Equity
COVID-19 Mental Health
Resources
May Mental Health Month
Each year, San Mateo County joins our state and country in celebrating Mental Health Month (MHM) in May. MHM is one of the best times of the year to increase awareness and inspire action to reduce stigma against those with mental health and substance use conditions. Each year we partnered with local agencies and community members to promote events free and open to the public throughout the county. All events this year will be virtual.
#HopeForChange
This year’s theme, aligned with the statewide theme, is #HopeForChange. The past year has undoubtedly brought unanticipated changes for us as individuals, families, and communities–leaving us to face these challenges and transform. Change is not always planned. Growth can be powerful and empowering. It can also be uncomfortable. #HopeForChange reminds us to spread and rely on the hope that carried us through a year of change.
Please visit this site again for updates on Mental Health Month events in the community.
2021 Virtual Events
Events scheduled for this month are listed below. For the most up-to-date information, please continue visiting this site.
Whether you are attending one of these events or are celebrating elsewhere, use #BeTheOneSMC and #HopeForChange on social media to help raise awareness and get a free lime green commemorative pin! To claim your pin, please e-mail a picture of your tagged social media posts to Kristie Lui (kflui@smcgov.org).
Note: All events are in Pacific Standard Time.
Sat, 5/1- 10am-11am | 2021 Mental Health Month
Livestream Kick-Off
Location: Facebook
Live
Details: Join San Mateo County on May 1st to kick off 2021
Mental Health Month. Learn how to make limegreen cookies, join us
for a mindful meditation, and hear about how you can participate
in Mental Health Month throughout the month of May.
Language: English with Spanish Interpretation
Flyer: English
| Spanish
Contact: Kristie Lui | KFLui@smcgov.org
Sat, 5/1- 11am-12pm | Music for Mental Health: Mardi
Morillo
Location: Zoom (Registration
Link)
Details: In recognition of Mental Health Awareness month, enjoy
some great music and personal tales of healing. Local musician
Mardi Morillo will share a performance of original songs and
covers. Mardi Morillo is a singer-songwriter, and he’ll be
joining us to share his music on acoustic guitar.
Language: English
Contact: John Weaver | jnweaver@menlopark.org
Mon, 5/3- 6:30pm-7:30pm | Mental Health Month Open
Mic
Location: Zoom (Registration
Link)
Details: Whether in poetry, spoken word, or music, let’s
bring our voices together to break the silence surrounding the
mental health impacts of rising anti-Asian sentiments and stand
in solidarity with the AAPI community. Share your own words, or
listen to others. San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen
Cassinetto will emcee this affirming event in observance of
Mental Health Awareness Month and Asian American and Pacific
Islander Heritage Month. We’ll also be joined by trauma
specialists from StarVista.
Language: English
Contact: John Weaver | jnweaver@menlopark.org
Tues, 5/4- 12pm-1pm | Eddy Zheng on Hate and Violence
Affecting Asian Pacific Islanders
Location: Virtual (Zoom
Registration)
Details: Hate incidents against Asian American Pacific Islander
communities have risen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Unfortunately, this is not new: there is a long history of
violence affecting AAPI communities in the United States. Eddy
Zheng, President of the New Breath Foundation and co-founder of
the first-ever ethnic studies program in San Quentin State
Prison, will speak about how the U.S. immigration and criminal
justice systems harm AAPI communities and how recent violence
fits into the larger context of AAPI history. Join us in kicking
off Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month by elevating our
history and celebrating our resilience.
Language: English
Contact: Tammy Vuong | (650) 372-6235 | qvuong@smcgov.org
Flyer: Here
Tues, 5/4- 6pm-8pm | Angst Film
Screening
Location: Virtual (Eventbrite
Registration Link)
Details: Documentary film in which mental health experts discuss
the causes of anxiety, its sociological effects and what can be
done about it.
Language: English & Spanish
Contact: Charlene Margot | cmargot@parentventure.org and Sheléne
Peterson | SPeterson@smcoe.org.
Wed, 5/5- 1pm-2pm | Supporting Perinatal Mental
Health
Location: Zoom (Registration
Link)
Details: In honor of World Maternal Mental Health Day, the
Prenatal to Three Initiative will be addressing perinatal mental
health needs to support first time mothers. Mothers will also
learn infant massage techniques for their babies.
Language: English
Flyer: Download Here
Contact: Hedwig De Ocampo | HDeOcampo@smcgov.org
Miércoles, 5/5- 2pm -3pm | Apoyando la salud mental
perinatal
Location: Zoom (Registration
Link)
Details: En honor al Día Mundial de la Salud Mental Materna, la
Iniciativa Prenatal to Three abordará las necesidades de salud
mental perinatal para apoyar a las madres primerizas. Las madres
también aprenderán técnicas de masaje infantil para sus
bebés.
Language: Spanish
Flyer: Descargar Aquí
Contact: Hedwig De Ocampo | HDeOcampo@smcgov.org
Thurs, 5/6- 11:30am-12:30pm | Gentle Chair
Yoga
Location: Virtual (Registration
Form)
Details: Chair yoga uses the chair as a prop for support
(standing or seated). These classes will begin with centering,
followed by yoga warm-ups, yoga postures, concentration &
breathing exercises, guided relaxation, and meditation. Chair
yoga is accessible to any level of health or mobility. As you
practice, you’ll receive the benefits of increased flexibility,
physical and mental strength, energy, clarity, overall health and
peace.
Language: English
Contact: Darren Heiber | heiber@smcl.org
Thurs, 5/6- 6pm-7pm | Creating Caring
Communities
Location: Zoom (Registration
Form)
Details: In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, learn
about mental illnesses, the impact of negative attitudes, and
five things each of us can do to make our community a better
place for people who experience a mental illness.
Language: English
Contact: John Weaver | jnweaver@menlopark.org
[CANCELLED - Spanish event cancelled but English event
still scheduled] Thurs, 5/6- 7pm to 8pm | SafeSpace:
screening QuaranTEEN Diaries
Location:
Zoom Link
Details: SafeSpace es una organización dirigida por jóvenes y
centrada en la salud mental que permite a los jóvenes participar
abiertamente en sus escuelas y comunidades. Crean e implementan
iniciativas para cambiar la conversación sobre la salud mental
educando y animando a sus compañeros a hablar, apoyar a otros y
buscar ayuda cuando sea necesario. Produjeron un cortometraje
llamado QuaranTEEN Diaries. Su mensaje y experiencia no están
escritos; todo lo que comparten es su propia verdad en sus
propias palabras. QuaranTEEN Diaries captura COVID-19 y la
experiencia de la pandemia directamente desde la perspectiva de
la juventud. Comparten sus desafíos, pero igualmente destacan su
fuerza interior, la importancia de la comunidad y el mensaje de
“separados, pero nunca solos.” perspective w/ Q&A teen
panel
Language: Spanish
Contact: Annie Kim | Annie@safespace.org
Thurs, 5/6- 8pm-9pm | SafeSpace: screening
QuaranTEEN Diaries
Location:
Zoom Link
Details: SafeSpace is a youth-led, mental health-focused
organization that empowers young people to engage openly
with their local schools and communities. SafeSpace
presents the QuaranTEEN Diaries. Their message and
experience is not scripted; everything they share is their
own truth in their own words. The QuaranTEEN Diaries
captures COVID-19 and the pandemic experience directly from the
lens of youth. They share their challenges, but equally highlight
their inner strength, importance of community and the message
of “apart, but never alone.”
Language: English
Contact: Annie Kim | Annie@safespace.org
Friday, 5/7- 4pm-5pm | Music and Trivia for Older
Adults
Location: Via Zoom (Registration
Form)
Details: Music and Trivia offers plenty of variety, with a
different music theme every week. The trivia themes include
Broadway, television, artist retrospectives, and even a “Musical
Road Trip” with state and city trivia. Our host, Ben Pernick,
also mixes in fun word games on the topics including a modified
version of the popular party game “Scattergories”. Ben is a
board-certified music therapist with 7 years’ experience creating
engaging experiences for seniors. More information at
this webpage.
Language: English
Contact: Chris Lu | luc@smcl.org
Friday, 5/7- 6pm-7:30pm | 1st Annual The Amazing
Souls of Black Folks: African Americans Expressions of
Wellness and Resiliency through Poetry
Location: Zoom (Registration
Link)
Details: Astute historic and personal poetry readings that
express the desire for the wellness and the resilience of African
Americans. The audience will have an opportunity for insightful
reflections on the poetry. A creative community open-mike will be
offered to share black & ally poetry by participants. Gift
certificates will be given to 3 poets from the open mike
segment.
Language: English
Flyer
Contact: Pamela Ward Pious | wpam3238@gmail.com, (650)
669-5610 (text message only)
Sat, 5/8- 11am-12pm | Mandarin
Storytime
Location: Via Zoom (Registration
Form)
Details: Mandarin song & storytime lead by
children’s book author, Jamie Gao. For the past 8 years, Jamie
has brought abundant joy to the Bay area communities. Her passion
and energy are infectious. What will be a better way to spend
quality time with family and learn Mandarin?
兒童文學作者 Jamie Gao每月一次將在Burlingame
圖書館主持國語歌曲和故事時間。在過去的8年中，Jamie 為海灣社區兒童帶來了無限的歡樂。 她的高能量的熱情和活力具有感染力。歡迎您全家大小一起來和Jamie 老師説說唱唱學中文!
Language: Mandarin
Contact: Kathy von Mayrhauser |
vonmayrhauser@plsinfo.org
Sunday, 5/9- 10am-10:40am | Mandarin
Storytime
Location: Via Zoom (Registration
Form)
Details: Mandarin song & storytime lead by
children’s book author, Jamie Gao. For the past 8 years, Jamie
has brought abundant joy to the Bay area communities. Her passion
and energy are infectious. What will be a better way to spend
quality time with family and learn Mandarin?
兒童文學作者 Jamie Gao每月一次將在Daly City
圖書館主持國語歌曲和故事時間。在過去的8年中，Jamie 為海灣社區兒童帶來了無限的歡樂。 她的高能量的熱情和活力具有感染力。歡迎您全家大小一起來和Jamie 老師説說唱唱學中文!
Language: Mandarin
Contact: Sarah Spence | spence@plsinfo.org
Mon, 5/10- 6:30pm-7:30pm | Museum of Mental
Health
Location: Zoom (Registration
Form)
Details: Visit museum, located on the site of the
130-year-old hospital used as the filming location for the
Academy Award-winning movie “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,”
and now dedicated to education and fostering understanding of the
many issues of mental illness, and helping to remove stigma.
Language: English
Contact: John Weaver | jnweaver@menlopark.org
Wed, 5/12- 1pm-2:30pm | Photovoice Panel
Presentation by LEEW & Co
Location:
Zoom Link or Dial 669-900-6833 (Meeting ID: 934 8070
2047 | Passcode: 207173)
Details: The Photovoice ‘Hope for Change’ project theme will
encourage participants to frame their Photovoice stories around
Hope, Resilience, Community Inclusion and mental health wellness.
Their stories will share recovery and wellness journeys and
processes in ways that will be clear, concise and connecting
journals of human experience that will touch and engage members
of the public.
Language: English
Contact: Jairo Wilches | JWilches@smcgov.org or Lee Harrison |
LEHarrison@smcgov.org
Wed, 5/12- 6pm-7pm | Meditation as an Approach to
Handle Anxiety Uncertainty
Location: Via Zoom (Registration
Form)
Details: We’re living in a time that often feels confusing and
stressful. People are more anxious and many experience a struggle
to stay positive and true to our inner core. Through regular
meditation, we can experience profound peace, bliss, and
happiness.
Umesh Bhatia, a long-time meditator, will share the scientific
research around meditation and offer a simple meditation
technique you can use every day. We look forward to seeing you at
this informative and centering experience.
Language: English
Contact: Jessic Ormonde | Ormonde@smcl.org
Wed, 5/12 – 6pm-7:30pm | Book Discussion on Emergent
Strategy
Location: Zoom (Registration
link)
Details: Join us for a book discussion on Emergent Strategy by
adrienne maree brown, with a look to how to cultivate a culture
of care and wellness in our community, with moderation from
Nethra Samarawickrema & Yuri Zaitsev of the Listening Lab. You
can find more about Nethra & Yuri’s workshops at https://www.listenuplab.com/workshops.
This is part of our Burlingame Reads 2021 program focusing on
environmental justice, equity, and community care, featuring
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler and Emergent Strategy
by Adrienne Maree Brown. You can find more information on the
series here.
Language: English
Flyer: TBA
Contact: Elaine Tai | tai@plsinfo.org | 650-558-7400
Thurs, 5/13- 11:30am-12:30pm | Vinyasa
Yoga
Location: Virtual (Registration
Form)
Details: The vinyasa flow workshops involve more physically
demanding work and options will be offered to make them
accessible for all. Classes typically begin with grounding
breathing techniques to tap into your parasympathetic (rest &
digest) response. From there, you’ll enjoy a gentle warm up
before getting into a moving meditation as you flow from one pose
to another with your breath. Sessions will focus on relieving
stress and rejuvenating your body.
Language: English
Contact: Darren Heiber | heiber@smcl.org
Thurs, 5/13- 6:30pm-7:45pm | Live & Aloud – Gaby
Castro, Musician
Location: Zoom (Registration
Form)
Details: Gaby Castro is
a San Francisco Bay Area-based singer-songwriter,
instrumentalist, model, actress, and activist. She has released
three studio albums and one EP of original music, performed
nationally and internationally, including as a regional
semi-finalist in one of the biggest battle of the bands in the
world Hard Rock Rising. Gaby plays guitar, piano/keyboards,
ukulele, mandolin, and hand percussion. She has studied
contemporary voice under Angela Arana since July 2009, and holds
a Bachelor of Music in Composition – Songwriting and a Master of
Arts in Music Business through Berklee Online and Berklee College
of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Strongly an advocate for
mental illness awareness, Gaby often writes songs that touch on
her personal struggles and the struggles of those around her. She
hopes as a songwriter and musician to create a positive change
regarding the way mental illness is treated in today’s society by
initiating conversations on the difficult topic.
Language: English
Contact: Roz Kutler | 650-780-7059 | rkutler@redwoodcity.org
Thurs, 5/13- 7pm-8pm | SafeSpace: screening Many
Generations, One Conversation
Location:
Zoom Link
Details: Has batallado para conversar con tu familia sobre
la salud mental? Te preguntas si esto SOLO te esta sucediendo a
ti? Tu NO estas solo(a). En SafeSpace te invitamos a unirte a
nosotros en una discusión sobre la salud mental y los
adolescentes, algunas percepciones erróneas al respecto, y ver un
video que resaltara la reducción de la brecha generacional y
cultura mientras aborda los desafíos en torno al estigma.
SafeSpace es una organización dirigida por jóvenes y centrada en
la salud mental que permite a los jóvenes participar abiertamente
en sus escuelas y comunidades. Crean e implementan iniciativas
para cambiar la conversación sobre la salud mental educando y
animando a sus compañeros a hablar, apoyar a otros y buscar ayuda
cuando sea necesario.
Language: Spanish
Contact: Annie Kim | Annie@safespace.org
Thurs, 5/13- 8pm-9pm | SafeSpace: screening
Many Generations, One Conversation
Location:
Zoom Link
Details: Have you struggled with having
conversations with your family about mental health? Do you
find yourself questioning if this is ONLY happening to you? You
are NOT alone. We at SafeSpace invite you to join us in a rich
discussion about teen mental health, some misperceptions about
it, and watch a video that will highlight bridging the
generational and cultural gap while addressing the challenges
around stigma. SafeSpace is a youth-led, mental
health-focused organization that empowers young people to
engage openly with their local schools and communities. They
create and implement initiatives to change the
conversation around mental health by educating and
encouraging their peers to speak up, support others, and
seek help when needed.
Language: English
Contact: Annie Kim | Annie@safespace.org
Fri, 5/14- 4pm-5pm | Music for Mental Health:
Kimberlye Gold
Location: Zoom (Registration
Link)
Details: Bay Area singer/songwriter Kimberlye Gold will join
us to share pop/rock/R&B/country originals and covers.
Kimberlye says that music has always been the medicine for the
highest peaks and dark nights of her soul, inspiring her every
step on her lifelong journey to create and reach out to touch
others.
Language: English
Contact: John Weaver | jnweaver@menlopark.org
Fri, 5/14- 6pm-8pm | “This is Crazy:
Criminalizing Mental Health” A Film By: Brave New
Films
Location: Zoom Webinar ID: 939 9524 2833
Details: A short documentary which highlights stories of
individuals with mental illnesses who have found themselves in a
dysfunctional prison system rather than getting proper care.
Followed by a panel discussion focusing on advocacy and the
importance of decriminalizing Mental Health through lived
experience.
Language: English
Flyer: Here
Contact: Yraes Guerrero and Greg Thompson | info@vorsmc.org
Mon, 5/17- 12pm-1pm | Mental Health &
Pets
Location: Via Zoom (Registration
Link)
Details: Join us for a lunchtime talk with speakers from
Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA and Office of Diversity & Equity.
They will share their pets on zoom and talk about their
experiences. Participants are welcome to have their own pets
nearby if they want to introduce them.
Language: English
Contact: Cynthia Rider | rider@plsinfo.org |
650-558-7407
Mon, 5/17 to Fri, 5/21 | Starts 4pm Mon, 5/17 | SMC
Youth Conference
Location:
Registration Link
Details: A 5-day virtual youth conference event to heal and
educate on mental health challenges and substance use.
Language: English
Contact: Stella Chau | schau@smcgov.org
Tues, 5/18- 12pm-1:30pm | AAPI Anti-Stigma Speaker
Panel “Hope For Change”
Location:
Zoom Link
Details: A Special Seeing Through Stigma Panel Honoring
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Language: English
Flyer
Contact: Bevin Love | belove@heartandsoulinc.org.
Tues, 5/18- 3-4:30pm | And Still We Rise: Resilience
and Survival in the BIPOC Communities
Location:
Registration Link
Details: Inspiring #HopeForChange through hearing voices of the
BIPOC Communities. Conversations with several BIPOC community’s
members and discussions of our #HopeForChange.
Language: English
Contact: John Butler | newhope8@aol.com and Pamela Ward Pious
| wpam3238@gmail.com, (650) 669-5610 (text message
only)
Wed, 5/19- 10am-11:30am | Spiritual Ideation: Mental
Wellness
Location: Zoom (Registration
Link)
Details: A panel will share the role of their faith and/or
spiritual practices in supporting resilience, wellness and
recovery. They will share how nurturing their spiritual needs
leads to whole person wellness, how their faith, faith
communities and spiritual practices support their wellness.
Language: English
Contact: John Butler | newhope8@aol.com & Jean Perry
| jeanpv78@gmail.com
Wed, 5/19- 3pm-5pm | Growth Mindset
Location: Virtual (Registration
Link)
Details: Students (teens and young adults) will learn to
change fixed mindsets into a growth mindset by developing a plan
of action (I will, I can approaches).
Language: English
Contact: Dyan de Jager | ddejager@redwoodcity.org
Wed, May 19 - 6pm-7pm | Meditación con Pablo
Gonzalez
Location: Por favor
regístrese aquí.
Details: Nos centraremos en la meditación de atención plena,
que es una práctica basada en la atención plena y la vivencia del
momento presente. Después de proporcionar la instrucción básica,
habrá una sesión de meditación en silencio de 20 minutos que será
seguida por una discusión sobre la meditación. Se aconseja a los
participantes que usen ropa cómoda y un cojín o almohada. Se
requiere registro.
Language: Spanish
Contact: Katie Donner | donner@plsinfo.org | 650-829-3860
Wed, 5/19- 6pm-7:30pm | Healing Hope: Intimate
Partner Abuse Survivor Panel
Location:
Zoom Link | Meeting ID: 928 2947 2798
Details: Join us for a discussion and poetry reading
assurvivors of intimate partner abuse share howabuse affected
their mental health and what their healing journey has been
like.
Language: English & Spanish with simultaneous interpretation
Flyer
Contact: jennar@corasupport.org
Thurs, 5/20- 11:30am-12:30pm | Gentle Chair
Yoga
Location: Virtual (Registration
Form)
Details: Chair yoga uses the chair as a prop for support
(standing or seated). These classes will begin with centering,
followed by yoga warm-ups, yoga postures, concentration &
breathing exercises, guided relaxation, and meditation. Chair
yoga is accessible to any level of health or mobility. As you
practice, you’ll receive the benefits of increased flexibility,
physical and mental strength, energy, clarity, overall health and
peace.
Language: English
Contact: Darren Heiber | heiber@smcl.org
Thurs, 5/20- 4pm-5pm | Family Talk:
Vaping
Location:
Zoom Link Passcode: 315479
Details: A live panel of presenters from SMFCSD and SMUHSD
will be hosting the discussion. All of the presenters work in the
field of TUPE (“Tobacco Use Prevention Education”) and work with
youth directly.Some of the topics covered will be: What are vapes
and what do they contain? What are the health risks? Why do teens
use them? How can you help a young person who is using nicotine?
We create opportunities throughout the webinar to engage in
conversation with your child/teen as we cover the above topics.
Parents/caregiver(s) and your child/teen(s) are welcome to attend
the talk.
Language: English
Contact: Laura Adams ladams@smuhsd.org, Joanne Michels,
jmichels@smuhsd.org
Thurs, 5/20- 7pm-8pm | Mental Health and Music with
Gaby Castro
Location: Via Zoom (Registration
Link)
Details: Gaby Castro combines her experience living with
depression and anxiety with powerful, poignant songwriting to
bring a performance surrounding mental health and music to the
Bay Area. Armed with a guitar and gentle voice, this Bay Area
native hopes to use her stories to lessen the stigma around
mental illness with songs that speak to living within the space
between helplessness and hope. Playing original songs from her
two albums, she will share the lived experience that inspired
them. A question and answer session will follow the
performance.
Language: English
Contact: Chris Lu | luc@smcl.org
Fri, 5/21- 1pm-2:30pm | Growth and Recovery in the
Face of Challenges: Re-examining Myths About Mental
Health
Location: Zoom (Registration
Link)
Details: A panel of older adults will share their lived
experience of continuing on their recovery path despite
challenges. Whether change is intentional or imposed, good or
bad, we can be empowered to continue toward recovery using
strengths we find from hope, purpose, family, community
connections, services & support, spirituality, creativity.
Language: English
Contact: John Butler | newhope8@aol.com & Jean Perry
| jeanpv78@gmail.com
Fri, 5/21- 6pm-8pm | Healing Hope with Expressive
Arts
Location: Zoom (Registration
Link)
Details: Join us for an evening of free programming
co-hostedby CORA, the SMC Office of Diversity and Equity & The
San Mateo County Pride Center where communitymembers are invited
to create art and celebrate
Mental Health Awareness Month
Language: English
Flyer
Contact: Azisa Todd | azisa.todd@sanmateopride.org
Mon, 5/24- 12pm | Solutions for Supportive Homes:
Possibilities and Progress
Location: Zoom (Registration
Link)
Details: Provider Panel and Parent Discussion
Language: English
Contact: Melinda Henning | melinda@melindahenning.com
Tues, 5/25- 3pm-4:30pm | Visualizing Mental Wellness: a
Graphic Novel presentation from Peers
Location: Zoom (Registration
Link)
Details: Join us for a virtual panel discussion from the
authors and illustrators of San Mateo County’s
first graphic novel about mental health.
Language: English
Contact: John Butler | newhope8@aol.com
Tues, 5/25- 6:30pm-8pm | Changing the Stigma: Youth Led
Discussion
Location: Zoom (Registration link in flyer)
Details: Join us for a virtual youth led panel discussion
among peers to help spread awareness and education around mental
health and wellness.
Language: English
Contact: Brenda Nuñez | hapy@star-vista.org | (650)477-4295
Tues, 5/25 (also 6/1) – 6pm-8pm | Listening Lab
Workshops w/ Nethra Samarawickrema & Yuri Zaitsev
Location: Zoom (Registration
Link)
Details: Join us for workshops to discuss and practice tools that
allow us to connect, hold difficult conversations, and better
understand each other. You can find more about Nethra & Yuri’s
workshops at https://www.listenuplab.com/workshops
. This is part of our Burlingame Reads 2021 program focusing on
environmental justice, equity, and community care, featuring
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler and Emergent Strategy
by adrienne maree brown. You can find more information on the
series here.
Language: English
Contact: Elaine Tai | tai@plsinfo.org | 650-558-7400
Wed, 5/26- 4pm-6pm | Felton Institute (re)MIND/BEAM Open
House and Early Psychosis Informational Session
Location: Virtual
Link
Details: Please join the staff of the Felton Institute
(re)MIND and BEAM progams at their Open House event. It will
start with a presentation on early psychosis to educate the
community on warning signs, progression, interventions and reduce
stigma around asking for mental health support. Team members will
introduce themselves and their specialty services, and show how
their help increases client independence, speeds recovery, and
supports goal achievement. Community members will have a chance
to ask questions of each staff and see the site itself, which is
actively in use for client services.
Language: English & Spanish
Contact: Sydney Hoff | shoff@felton.org
Thurs, 5/27- 10am-11am | “Our Voices, Our Stories of
Resilience and Hope” Digital Stories and Resilience
Panel
Location: Zoom
Link
Details: Sharing our stories of recovery, wellness,
resilience, and hope via Digital Storytelling and a Resilience
Speaker Panel.
Language: English
Contact: Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin
| amaalgg@heartandsoulinc.org | 650-759-7753
Thurs, 5/27- 11:30am-12:30pm | Vinyasa
Yoga
Location: Virtual (Registration
Form)
Details: The vinyasa flow workshops involve more physically
demanding work and options will be offered to make them
accessible for all. Classes typically begin with grounding
breathing techniques to tap into your parasympathetic (rest &
digest) response. From there, you’ll enjoy a gentle warm up
before getting into a moving meditation as you flow from one pose
to another with your breath. Sessions will focus on relieving
stress and rejuvenating your body.
Language: English
Contact: Darren Heiber | heiber@smcl.org
Thu, 5/27- 6pm-7pm | Cafe de Padres
Location: Zoom ID: 924 6665 6638 o en el chat del
Facebook Vivo de Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center o
Friends for Youth
Details: Únase con PCRC y La Iniciativa WHY para un panel y
charla sobre la salud mental y los obstáculos que experimentamos
en la cultura Latinx. Crearemos un espacio seguro para tener
discusión con los panelistas y asistentes. ¿Cómo adaptamos a una
sociedad virtual y cuáles vistas tradicionales y actuales podemos
aplicar para apoyar la salud mental de los jóvenes y de nosotros
mismos?
Language: Spanish
Contact: Sarah Norman | sarahnorman@friendsforyouth.org
Fri, 5/28- 2:30pm-3:30pm | Music for Mental Health:
Frances Ancheta
Location: Zoom (Registration
Link)
Details: Frances Ancheta, singer/songwriter and musician,
will share a performance combining storytelling of her life
experiences as both a post-partum depression and breast cancer
survivor, and her acoustic music (vocals, acoustic guitar). She
will be singing a combination of original and cover songs,
highlighting her songs from her three released albums.
Language: English
Contact: John Weaver | jnweaver@menlopark.org
Fri, 5/28- 7pm-8:30pm | NAMI SMC General Meeting – Peer
Speaker, “Getting to Calm, A Personal Story of Health and Healing
from Depression
Location: Zoom Meeting ID: 886 7915 7741 | ONE TAP MOBILE
+16699006833,,88679157741
Details: Ingrid Peterson is from Kailua, Hawaii and earned
her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Stanford, with a
concentration in
Developmental Psychology. Ingrid has dedicated much of her
professional career to education, teaching from preschool through
high school levels, first as an educator at Bing Nursery School,
Laboratory Preschool of the Psychology Department at Stanford
University.
Language: English & Spanish
Flyer: PDF
Contact: Carrie DuBois | 650-638-0800
Ongoing – Living Works Start Training for Students and
Teachers/Staff
Location: Virtual
Details: Calling all middle and high school students (ages
13+) and staff in California to get trained in suicide
prevention! If you are an employee working in any public middle
or high school in California,
you are eligible to complete this training at no cost.
Language: English
Contact: 1-866-956-6139 | communications@livingworks.net
Activities
- Nature Meditation narrated by Park Ranger, Katherine Wright
- Lime-Green Sugar Cookie + Limeade Recipes
- Each Mind Matter’s 2021 MHM Activation Kit
- Headspace App (Free for San Mateo County Residents Through 9/14/2021)
- Parks Department Take a Hike Challenge
- 2021 MHM Virtual Background
Proclamations
Mental Health Month (MHM) Proclamations are annual declarations of a May Mental Health Month made by public elected officials. Proclamations are an opportunity for public officials and the greater community to recommit to the importance of promoting wellness for anyone facing mental health or substance use issues.
You can participate in your local proclamation by making a public comment (written or verbal). More information on websites of each local jurisdiction.
**Tues, 5/4- 9am | San Mateo County MHM
Proclamation**
Location: Info + to
join
Mon, 4/26- 7pm | Daly City MHM
Proclamation
Location: Youtube
Livestream Link
Mon, 4/26- 7pm | Pacifica MHM
Proclamation
Location: Info + to
join
Tues, 4/27- 7pm | Belmont MHM
Proclamation
Location:
Info + to join
Tues, 4/27- 7pm | Millbrae MHM
Proclamation
Location:
Info
+ to join
Tues, 4/27- 7pm | San Bruno MHM
Proclamation
Location:
Info
+ to join
Wed, 4/28- 6pm | South San Francisco MHM
Proclamation
Location:
Info
+ to join
Wed, 4/28- 7pm | Portola Valley MHM
Proclamation
Location:
Info + to join
Mon, 5/3- 6:30pm | Foster City MHM
Proclamation
Location: Info + to join
Mon, 5/3- 7pm | Burlingame MHM
Proclamation
Location:
Info + to join
Mon, 5/3- 7pm | San Mateo MHM
Proclamation
Location:
Info + to join
Tues, 5/4- 7pm | Half Moon Bay MHM
Proclamation
Location: Info +
to join
Thurs, 5/6- 7:30pm | Brisbane MHM
Proclamation
Location: Info
+ to join
Mon, 5/10- 6pm | Hillsborough MHM
Proclamation
Location: Info +
to join
Mon, 5/10- 7pm | Redwood City MHM
Proclamation
Location: Info + to
join
Tues, 5/11- 5pm | Menlo Park MHM
Proclamation
Location: Info +
to join
Wed, 5/12- 7pm | Colma MHM
Proclamation
Location: Info + to
join
Wed, 5/19- 6pm | Atherton MHM
Proclamation
Location: Info + to
join
Mon, 5/24- 7pm | San Carlos MHM
Proclamation
Location: Info + to
join
Event Coordinator Resources
This section includes resources for those who are helping coordinate or plan Mental Health Month events.
-
Programming
- 2021 Mental Health Month Event Schedule (Coming Soon!)
- Storytelling - Digital Stories and Photo Voice
- Lived Experience Academy Speakers
- Marketing
- 2021 MHM Official Flyer
- 2021 MHM Communication Calendar (This is a live document and will be updated over time)
- 2021 MHM Event Flyer Template [Editable]
- 2021 MHM Virtual Background
- Mental Health Month Graphics
-
Media Release
- Small Group of
Individuals: English, Spanish, Chinese Simplified, Tagalog, Russian
- Please save originals or scanned copies of signed media release forms and email to Sylvia Tang (stang@smcgov.org) or Kristie Lui (KFLui@smcgov.org). Individuals can fill the form out and sign, especially if they will be prominently featured. Note: If you are photographing a larger meeting or event, you can use the Crowd Photo Notice below.
- Larger Meetings or Events: English
(JPEG, PDF), Spanish
(JPEG, PDF), Chinese Simplified
(JPEG, PDF), Tagalog
(JPEG, JPEG), Russian
(JPEG, PDF)
- Use this notice when photographing large groups, when having people sign individual media releases isn’t practical. Example: A County meeting or other event attended by many members of the public. The notice should be placed in a prominent area, such as at a registration table or on the wall(s) for in-person events or presentation slide for virtual events. Also, a verbal mention in any welcome address when possible is strongly advised.
- Small Group of
Individuals: English, Spanish, Chinese Simplified, Tagalog, Russian
- Evaluation
-
Facilitation
- Toolkit: Support for Individuals on Social and Digital Media (by National Suicide Prevention Lifeline)
- 2021 Mental Health Month Chat Script Template
- 2021 Mental Health Month Presentation Template
-
Additional Resources
- 2021 Mental Health Month Mini-Grant and Event Support Application (Closed)
- 2021 Mental Health Month Activation Kit (by Each Mind Matters)
If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact the 2021 MHM Planning Co-Chairs, Sylvia Tang at STang@smcgov.org or Kristie Lui at KFLui@smcgov.org.
2021 Planning Committee
Each year, the Office of Diversity and Equity at Behavioral Health Recovery Services partners up with local agencies, clients/consumers and family members, and community members to coordinate Mental Health Month.
Interested to join the 2021 Mental Health Month Planning Committee? You may find our meeting schedule here.
Thank you to our 2021 MHM Planning Committee for all your hard work!
#BeTheOneSMC
Stand Up For Mental Health this May!
One in four people have a mental health condition yet less than half are getting the help they need—many because they are afraid others will judge them.
You can be the one to help change that.
San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services is raising awareness about the important role mental health plays in our lives and encouraging members of the community to learn more about their own mental health and to take action if they are experiencing symptoms of a mental health conditions.
Throughout the month, you can learn more about local resources as well as find hope and inspiration through personal stories and by connecting with the greater San Mateo County community to reduce stigma and ensure San Mateo County is a welcoming and safe place for everyone.
Learn more about our Be The One SMC stigma reduction campaign and visit the Be The One photo gallery and check out how community members are making a difference!
#BeTheOneSMC to make a difference
Half of the people with mental health conditions develop symptoms by age 14. The longer someone waits to get help, the longer their recovery process becomes.
It often takes 10 years from the first time someone has mental health concerns until he or she gets a correct diagnosis and proper treatment. Would you wait 10 years to get help if you were experiencing symptoms of cancer or diabetes?
So what can you do? You can:
- Participate in Mental Health Month events (see above).
- Pledge to help stop stigma. Each of us has the power to make our community a welcoming, safe place for everyone.
- Learn the early warning signs and symptoms of mental health conditions and don’t be afraid to ask for help for yourself or a loved one.
- Post a personal message to our Be The One photo gallery.
Mental health conditions are not only common, they are treatable. There is a wide variety of treatment options for mental illnesses ranging from talk therapy to medication to peer support, and it may take some time for a person to find the right treatment or combination of treatments that works best for them. But when they do, the results can be truly amazing and life changing.
It’s up to all of us to know the signs and take action so that mental health conditions can be caught early and treated, and we can live up to our full potential. We know that intervening effectively during early stages of mental illness can save lives and change the trajectories of people living with mental health conditions. Be aware of your mental health and see your current provider or primary care physician for a screening today.
Contact
To get involved with or find out more about Mental Health Month, please contact the 2021 MHM Planning Co-Chairs, Sylvia Tang at STang@smcgov.org or Kristie Lui at KFLui@smcgov.org.
