San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health

Pain isn’t always obvious, but knowing the signs can help a loved one. The signs may appear in conversations, through their actions, or in social media posts. If you observe one or more of these warning signs, step in or speak up. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-8255. For more info, visit http://ow.ly/DEBX50Fq6XS.

Help your kids make healthy decisions this month as they spend more time outdoors and with friends. You can talk with them about the risks of underage drinking and other drug use with help from #TalkTheyHearYou

Join the Asian Pacific Islander Awareness Subcommittee for a virtual conversation on Fri., July 9 at 10 a.m via WebEx at http://ow.ly/1crA50Fqjt2.

Happening tomorrow! #SBCountyTogether

What? #sbcounty

Mental disorders are like medical conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. The earlier treatment begins, the more effective it is. It’s important to rememb...er that there is no one-size-fits-all treatment. You may need to try a few different health care providers and different treatments, or a combination of treatments, before finding one that works best for you. Learn more about the signs, symptoms, risk factors, and treatments for mental disorders by visiting https://go.usa.gov/x6MHY. #NMMHM #MinorityMentalHealth See more

The Disabilities Awareness Subcommittee is hosting their monthly meeting Thurs., July 8 at 10 a.m. Join the virtual conversation via Webex at https://sbcountybh.webex.com/sbcountybh/j.php.

Reminder: Emergency mental health services are available during the County holiday today, July 5. Visit SBCounty.gov/DBH or call (888) 743-1478 for more info.

Happy 4th of July! We wish you and your loved ones a happy and safe holiday. As a reminder, emergency mental health services are available during the County holiday tomorrow on July 5. Visit SBCounty.gov/DBH or call (888) 743-1478 for more info. #4thofJuly

We often question our own thoughts or experiences, and you may convince yourself that what you experienced wasn’t a big deal because others have it worse. Everyone experiences trauma differently, and no one trauma is worse than another. Learn more about trauma: https://bit.ly/3z39YGz

Emergency mental health services are available during the County holiday on July 5. Visit SBCounty.gov/DBH or call (888) 743-1478 for more info. #4thofJuly

"I didn't have much of a childhood. I never really had my father in my life. I looked up to my two older brothers. There were good times, when they would pick ...me up from school and we would all play together. Those were highlights of growing up in my family, but those highlights didn't last long. By the time I was 8, one of my brothers was locked up. By 11, my oldest brother was murdered, lost to Chicago violence. I was only 11 years when I became the role model for my younger siblings. Overwhelmed with emotions and questions I ended up upset, angry, and most of all confused. I didn't know what to do next. I cried so much on the day of my older brother’s funeral, more than I had ever before. There, I sat next to my brother's mentors, I had no idea then, but they were about to become my mentors. I was old enough to hurt but not old enough to know how to deal with hurt; they helped me to cope. For a long time after my brother’s funeral I couldn’t cry, I would feel hurt internally but outside I was just numb. My mentors helped me learn how to express that pain. They supported me in ways that no one else had; they did so many things for me, things that the little me could never forget. They became my role models; they helped me become more vocal and outgoing and more of a seeker of answers. In my short life I've experienced effects of trauma; depression, anxiety, paranoia, and bad coping strategies like substance abuse to get relief from those other effects. I'm glad that I had my mentors to support me and guide me because without them I wouldn't be here telling my story. They helped me to grow strong enough to leave bad habits in the past, and now as a part of la Villita Warriors I work to make sure I’m able to help other men and boys do the same. Jaime Garcia Jaime volunteers as a mentor for the Movember-funded La Vita Warriors program in Chicago. It is one of 5 community-led projects within the Making Connections Initiative. Sinai Health System is coordinating the featured program with a group of local non-profits, schools, and young leaders in Chicago’s west side. As a mentorship program, it is focused on supporting young men and boys of color who are growing up in a challenging environment where far too many men are dying too young. Click here to learn more about Jaime's story: https://us.movember.com/story/jaimegarcia #movember

DBH will be honored at today's Board Meeting for earning 5 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement awards this year! The meeting can be viewed online and is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. #sbcounty

Join DBH's LGBTQ Awareness Subcommittee meeting today at 12:30 p.m. to help shape the way we deliver behavioral health services. This meeting is open all members of the community. We gather to share ideas and gain feedback on what issues are important to you. https://sbcountybh.webex.com/sbcountybh/j.php

#TakeBackDay collection sites are NOW OPEN nationwide! Help keep your community safe by cleaning out your medicine cabinet and taking back expired, unused, or unwanted meds for proper disposal! Find a collection site near you www.DEATakeBack.com

In honor of National Substance Abuse Prevention month, check out this video of Karli talking with our friend Angie from Arizona Recovers about how COVID-19 has affected her mom’s battle with addiction.

Red Ribbon Week kicks off today! This year's #RedRibbonWeek theme is to encourage children, families and communities to live healthy, happy and drug-free lives by shaping the communities around us through positivity, bravery and strength." #RedRibbon

Say hello to our newest group of virtual #mentalhealthfirstaid students! Thank you for working to be better equipped to recognize and respond to behavioral health issues in our community. Mental Health America Mental Health First Aid USA #sbcounty #SBStrong

As first responders, "Fit for Duty" goes beyond our physical fitness and it's equally important for us to take care of our mental fitness. The incidents and stressors that we deal with every day, the ones we "shrug off" as "part of the job", can mount up over time and take a toll. We need to remain vigilant and look for signs of distress in our colleagues, our brothers and sisters. Join the conversation about how to prevent suicide among our colleagues, peers, and friends. #CovidCourage

Thank you Monica Hsieh for showing #covidcourage! #joindbh #teamdbh #sbcounty

Want to learn more about addiction, mental health, and how you can help your community? Reach Out invites you to our next Town Hall with special guest speaker,... Dr. Jonathan D. Avalos. We will be discussing addiction, mental health conditions, and social and economic disparities. You don't want to miss this event! Register at the link below or in our bio- http://ow.ly/pA0Y50BWBJb #wearereachout

LAST CALL - deadline for Voices With Impact is tomorrow! Proposals are being accepted for a chance to win a $5,000 production grant! Topics for the short films ...include mental health issues specific to Black people & mental health issues related to immigration experiences. Interested? Learn more here: https://artwithimpact.org/voices-with-impact/2020-21/ Deadline is TOMORROW, October 23. Apply today!