May is Mental Health Awareness Month

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By Tasha Bartholomew, @tashbart Every year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition and during the month of May, participants from across the country will bring awareness to mental health, including Caltrain. For nearly a decade, Caltrain has been involved with numerous behavioral and mental health organizations within the three regions it serves in San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.  At times, Caltrain is affected by fatalities that occur along the rail corridor. After a full investigation, the majority of those fatalities are ruled suicides as a result of a mental health condition the individual suffered. Caltrain devotes a great deal of effort to educating the public about rail safety.  Suicide is the primary cause of rail-related deaths on Caltrain, yet it is one that the rail agency can do little to prevent on its own.  Suicide is preventable, and it starts with being educated about mental health conditions. During Mental Health Awareness Month, Caltrain will be doing its part to help the community:

  • On Tuesday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Caltrain will join the County of San Mateo Health System for its Mental Health Resource and Art Fair. This year’s event, Be the One to Reach Out to Support Your Peers, will be held at the College of San Mateo, Cafeteria, Building 10, 1700 W. Hillsdale Boulevard, San Mateo. To register for the event, visit www.mentalhealth2017.eventbrite.com.
  • On Thursday, May 18, Caltrain will once again sponsor the 3rd Annual Caminar for Mental Health Symposium. The symposium will be held from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the historic Filoli country estate at 86 Cañada Road in Woodside. Admission to the event is free, but seating is limited. To register, click HERE.

Social Media This month, please share mental health awareness information, images and graphics using the hashtags #mhm or #mentalhealthmonth. Other Resources San Francisco Department of Public Health - The San Francisco Behavioral Health Plan offers a full range of specialty behavioral health services provided by a culturally diverse network of community behavioral health programs, clinics and private psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists. County of San Mateo Health System – San Mateo County Santa Clara Valley Mental Health Department – Santa Clara County www.EachMindMatters.org

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