Mental Health and Wellness

Need Mental Health Support?

You Are Not Alone. You Matter.

Everyone deserves to feel seen, supported, and connected. Whether you're a student navigating challenges, an educator supporting young people, or a family member looking for guidance, help is available. At the San Mateo County Office of Education, we believe that connection and belonging are essential to helping young people thrive.

No matter what you're going through, remember: You are not alone. You matter.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Managed locally by the Felton Institute, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline ensures qualified counselors are available 24/7 for when you need them. Call or text 988.

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BrightLife Kids App

BrightLife Kids provides free behavioral health coaching for parents, caregivers, and kids ages zero to 12 years old. No insurance, referrals, or waitlists are needed.

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Soluna Mental Health App

Soluna provides free personal coaching with trained coaches via drop-in or scheduled video, phone, or text chats. It also has self-help tools and care navigation for ages 13-25.

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LGBTQ+ Suicide Hotline

The Trevor Project's LGBTQ+ Suicide Hotline provides 24/7 support for LGBTQ+ youth via text, chat, or phone. Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678.

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Peninsula Suicide Prevention

The Felton Institute provides 24/7 support for those who are feeling depressed, suicidal, or just want someone to talk to. It also supports family and friends who are concerned about a loved one.

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San Mateo County Mobile Crisis Team

The San Mateo County Mobile Crisis Team brings rapid crisis support with law enforcement involvement only where necessary. Call or text 650-579-0350.

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Additional Resources

Community Partners

Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse

CORA provides counseling, emergency housing, legal assistance, and other services to those affected by intimate partner abuse.

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The National Domestic Violence Hotline

Get free, confidential, 24/7 support if you are experiencing abuse or relationship violence. Call 1-800-799-7233 for support or visit their website.

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County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services

San Mateo County Health's Behavioral Health and Recovery Services provides many programs that support mental and behavioral health.

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The San Mateo County Pride Center

The San Mateo County Pride Center offers education, peer support groups, clinical therapy, and case management. Call (650) 591-0133 or visit their website.

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Educator Resources

Educators play a critical role in helping students feel safe, connected, and supported. A caring relationship with a trusted adult can make a lasting difference in a young person's life. SMCOE resources emphasize the importance of positive relationships, recognizing signs of distress, and connecting students with appropriate supports.

Prevent Suicide in San Mateo County

Suicide is preventable, and early intervention can save lives.

The San Mateo County Office of Education supports school districts through comprehensive suicide prevention guidance and protocols designed to help identify students who may be at risk, connect them with appropriate supports, and respond effectively during a crisis.

Access the Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention Protocol for schools

Helpful Tools and Resources

Strategies and Resources to Create a Trauma-Informed School
Use this tool to think through strategies for creating trauma-informed school communities.

Supporting Students Coping with Grief
Explore this article by MSW Degrees to learn how to support students coping with grief.

Supporting Your Own Mental Health

Even for adults, it can be tough to recognize that what we feel as irritability, difficulty focusing, insomnia or changes in appetite can actually be signs that our bodies are feeling the effects of stress.

It is important for caregivers to successfully reduce their levels of stress and the impact it has on themselves and the children they care for. Support your own mental health through these resources from the National Education Association.

Program Highlight: Youth Mental Health First Aid

The Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) course is an 6-8-hour public education training program designed for any adult working with or assisting young people, ages 12-18. The course focuses on how to help a young person who may be experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis.

Participants will learn:

How to help a youth in a crisis or non-crisis situation who is experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge
Unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents
The importance of early intervention
A 5-Step Action Plan

The San Mateo County Office of Education has partnered with San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Office of Diversity and Equity to offer free YMHFA certification training to all schools throughout the county. Through school-based YMHFA training, campus communities can help bridge a student in crisis to the appropriate help they need.

Two students sit at a table and talk to each other

Family Resources

Parents and caregivers play an essential role in supporting their child's mental health and well-being. One of the most powerful protective factors for young people is having strong, caring relationships with trusted adults. Regular conversations, listening without judgment, and showing consistent support can help children and teens feel safe, connected, and understood.

Be Sensitive Be Brave: Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

Staff, parents/guardians, and students are invited to attend Be Sensitive Be Brave (BSBB) training to support mental health and suicide prevention.

BSBB Training on Mental Health

Increase your mental health awareness through culturally responsive education. Learn how to recognize mental health conditions, what to do when someone needs support, and tools for maintaining good health.

BSBB Training on Suicide Prevention

Support suicide prevention through culturally responsive education. Learn how to act as eeyes and ears for suicide distress and to connect individuals to help.

Helpful Tools and Resources

Helping At Home: Tips for Parents
Mental Health America developed a list of 12 tips for parents to support their child’s mental and emotional well-being

CDC Mental Health of Children
Learn more about mental health, mental disorders, treatments, prevention, and public health research on children’s mental health.

Family Guide to Supporting Young People's Mental Health and Well-being
Learn how to support the overall well-being and mental health of school-aged children.

NAMI: Learning to Support Your Child and Your Family
Mental health stigma can prevent individuals and families from seeking the help they need. Learn what you could do to understand mental health conditions and reduce the stigma around mental health.

Program Highlight: Parent Project

San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) offers the Parent Project to anyone who cares for a child or adolescent. It is a free, 11-week course that is offered in both English and Spanish, and it teaches parents and caregivers valuable parenting skills including appropriate ways to discipline; preventing or stopping alcohol, drug, and tobacco use; improving communication skills; and improving grades and school attendance. More information is available on the County of San Mateo Health System's website.

Responding to Acts of Violence or International Conflicts?

High-profile acts of violence, particularly school shootings, can cause stress, trauma, anxiety, or other emotional responses. Visit the School Safety for Families page, which provides tips and resources for both families and educators to support students through difficult times.

Student Resources

Being a student can be exciting, challenging, rewarding, and sometimes overwhelming. It's normal to experience stress, anxiety, sadness, loneliness, frustration, or uncertainty. No matter what you're going through, you don't have to face it alone.

Taking Care of Your Mental Health

Just like physical health, mental health requires care and attention. Support your well-being by:

Spending time with friends and family
Getting enough sleep
Taking breaks from social media
Being physically active
Practicing mindfulness or relaxation techniques
Participating in activities that bring you joy
Talking with someone you trust

Small steps can make a big difference.

When to Ask for Help

It's okay to ask for help at any time. Consider reaching out to your counselor, school nurse, or a trusted teacher if you are:

Feeling overwhelmed or stressed most of the time
Struggling with feelings of sadness or anxiety
Feeling alone or disconnected from others
Having difficulty focusing or enjoying activities you used to like
Experiencing major changes in your mood
Worried about yourself or a friend

Don't wait until things get worse. Support is available. Reach out to a trusted adult.

Suicide Prevention and Crisis Support

If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, or if you are worried about someone else, help is available right now.

Get Help Now

San Mateo County Suicide and Crisis Lifeline:
Call or text 988

National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-799-7233

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-8255 or text HOME 741741

The Trevor Project's LGBTQ+ Suicide Hotline:
Call: 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678

In the News

‘I’m listening hard’: Teens increasingly turn to AI chatbots for mental health support
EdSource, September 10, 2026

Contact Us

Becky Stephan, Ed.D.

Coordinator, School Safety and Student Supports

Work: (650) 802-5601