Dear Friends,
I hope this message finds you well and thriving.
I am pleased to share StarVista’s Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Center has officially launched its Youth Stabilization, Opportunity, and Support (S.O.S.) Team in partnership with San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS). The Youth S.O.S. team is designed to respond to children and youth ages 0-25 that are experiencing an escalation of mental and behavioral health symptoms (such as suicidal ideation/intent, self-injurious behaviors, undiagnosed mental health disorders, etc). The team will prioritize current or former foster youth as well as community sites (like schools) that have limited mental health resources. The team is comprised of mental health clinicians, a youth peer partner, and family partners to comprehensively address any assessment, psychoeducation, therapeutic, or case management needs. To learn more about Youth S.O.S., read our press release here or visit our website here.
I am also excited to share we will be hosting our first-ever Mental Health Matters Walk in May at San Mateo Central Park! Last year, we launched our Mental Health Matters campaign during Mental Health Awareness Month to bring awareness to our essential mental health services in San Mateo County. This year, we are bringing our community together in-person to strengthen the resilience of our neighbors and empower every walk of life and every age to find their best future. Join us for a feel-good event featuring a walk, food, activities, yoga, and special guest speakers focusing on mental health and wellness. This event is free and open to all ages! Learn more here.
Last but certainly not least, we are saying a bittersweet farewell to our beloved colleague, Clarise Blanchard. Clarise is StarVista’s Clinical Director of Wellness and Recovery Services and has been with our agency for over 22 years. Clarise joined StarVista back in 2000 at our Women’s Enrichment Center when the program launched. Since then, she has been an influential figure at our agency. Many of her contributions have been historic both at StarVista and in San Mateo County. You can learn more about Clarise and her work in the county in our blog post here. Clarise will retire on April 1. Please join us in sending her well wishes as she starts a new chapter of her life.
Wishing you good health.
Sincerely,
Sara Larios Mitchell, Ph.D., MACP
CEO