What’s MHSA?
You may not recognize the name, but the impact is undeniable. Guided by the voices and needs of the communities it serves, the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) has created culturally mindful services that go beyond the traditional medical model.
For nearly 20 years, the MHSA has transformed mental health and substance use services in San Mateo County into a complete spectrum of care that focuses as much on the power of prevention as it does on life-saving treatment. Click here to learn more about MHSA.
FULL SERVICE PARTNERSHIPS (FSPs)
FSPs have a commitment to do “whatever it takes” to help individuals of all ages who are struggling with serious mental health challenges progress in their recovery, health, and well-being. FSP programs offer 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week services; peer support; intensive mental health and substance use treatment; linkages to supported housing, education and employment; skills-based interventions, and other services to help individuals and families live successfully in their communities. Visit Site
HOMELESS ENGAGEMENT ASSESSMENT AND LINKAGE (HEAL)
Provides field-based outreach, assessment and treatment to unhoused individuals living with mental health and substance use challenges. HEAL clinicians partner with Homeless Outreach Teams (HOT) and provide short-term treatment including psychiatry in the field, meeting individuals where they are at, and connecting them to treatment.
THE CARIÑO PROJECT
Founded by ALAS (Ayudando Latinos a Soñar) in Half Moon Bay on the opportunity to create new models of mental health, substance use and wellness services for marginalized farmworker communities that are grounded in cultural arts frameworks of intervention and engagement. Services include crisis counseling, family counseling, and counseling at schools, local churches, community spaces and a home visiting model. ALAS’ Farmworker Equity Express Bus extends the cultural arts practices directly to farmworkers and their families. Visit Site
PERMANENT SUPPORTED HOUSING
On-site housing supported services include tenant engagement, daily living skills coaching, housing retention and eviction prevention interventions, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, crisis intervention/de-escalation, service coordination, and property management liaison services for unhoused individuals or those at risk of homelessness, and their families, who are struggling with mental health and substance use challenges. Visit Site
THE CALIFORNIA CLUBHOUSE
A community-centered organization where adults (18 years and older) living with mental health and substance use challenges can go every day during business hours to work on overcoming obstacles they face. It offers support, training, education, employment, healthy social interactions and positive reinforcement through collegial relationships and work. Visit Site
THE PRIDE CENTER
A welcoming, safe, inclusive, and affirming space for all ages, sexual orientations, and gender identities, The Pride Center takes a holistic approach to improving the health and wellbeing of the LGBTQ+ community. Visit Site
HEALTH AMBASSADORS PROGRAM (HAP)
This program provides the resources needed to make a difference in the lives of families, friends, and neighbors in your community. Health Ambassadors are committed to breaking down stigmas, opening doors, and improving the mental health of those around them. HAP for youth (HAP-Y) gives young adults the opportunity to act as mental health ambassadors in their schools and communities — promoting awareness of mental health, substance use, reducing the stigma, and increasing access to services for young people in San Mateo County. Visit Site
PATHWAYS PROGRAM
Pathways is an alternate path through the criminal justice system for individuals living with serious mental health and substance use challenges and significant impairments. The goal is to reduce incarceration and help individuals live more successfully in the community. Visit Site
HEALTH EQUITY INITIATIVES (HEIs)
HEIs represent ethnic and cultural communities that have been historically marginalized and include the African American Community Initiative, Chinese Health Initiative, Filipino Mental Health Initiative, Latino Collaborative, Native and Indigenous Peoples Initiative, Pacific Islander Initiative, PRIDE Initiative, Spirituality Initiative, and the Diversity and Equity Council. HEIs plan culturally mindful mental health awareness events throughout San Mateo County to decrease stigma, educate and empower, support wellness and recovery, and increase access to mental health and substance use services. Visit Site
CRISIS HOTLINE & YOUTH S.O.S. RESPONSE
During and after a mental health emergency or crisis event, the Hotline offers immediate support with services that include 24-hour access, mobile youth crisis response team — The Youth Stabilization, Opportunity and Support (S.O.S.) Team— and online and text teen crisis support. Contact the Crisis Hotline 24/7 at 650-579-0350. Visit Site
To be connected to mental health and substance use services, visit San Mateo County Health, Behavioral Health & Recovery Services.