Bay Area

Marin’s Approach on Mental Health: Increase Awareness to Decrease Stigma

Local and global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, household economic instability, racial inequality, wars abroad, violence in the streets, and political strife can add stress to life. They also serve as a conversation starter about the pressing concern of mental health and access to care.

Published

3 years ago

May 10, 2023

Oakland Post

Marin residents seeking behavioral health services can call the 24-hour, confidential Access Line at 1-888-818-1115. Marin BHRS provides outpatient, residential, crisis services, and hospital care addressing specialty mental health and substance use service needs of Marin Medi-Cal beneficiaries and uninsured residents.

Marin HHS and partners offer educational events throughout May

San Rafael, CA — Local and global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, household economic instability, racial inequality, wars abroad, violence in the streets, and political strife can add stress to life. They also serve as a conversation starter about the pressing concern of mental health and access to care.

In Marin County, the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) working with a handful of eager community partners to promote well-being during May Mental Health Awareness Month.

The Find Your Way campaign supports youth as they navigate paths to wellness, connection, and resiliency.

“It’s no wonder many people are struggling or not quite feeling themselves,” said Dr. Todd Schirmer, Director of the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Division (BHRS) of Marin HHS. “This year’s statewide theme is ‘Tools 2 Thrive,’ which emphasizes the importance of building resilience and coping skills.”

May Mental Health Awareness Month provides an opportunity to prioritize mental health and to raise awareness about the resources available for those who may be struggling. This year, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services and community-based partners, including NAMI-Marin[External], Marin 9 to 25[External], Opening the World[External], North Marin Community Services[External], Marin County Youth Commission[External], OD Free Marin[External] and the Marin County Suicide Prevention Collaborative[External], have put together a full spectrum of resources and events throughout the month of May. These events promote messages of hope, connection and recovery to help residents work together to create a culture of understanding and support for those who are experiencing mental health issues.

A highlight of May Mental Health Month is the Youth Art and Film Showcase[External], an annual event that will be featured at the Youth Wellness Festival on Saturday, May 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Terra Linda High School in San Rafael. The festival is free, open to all ages, and includes a panel discussion, an art showcase gallery, tabling and resources, and workshop sessions. Coordinated by youth mental health advocates involved in the Marin County Youth Commission, the Suicide Prevention Collaborative’s Youth Action Team, and Marin 9 to 25, the event will feature the launch of a youth wellness campaign called, “Find Your Way[External].” The countywide campaign will support youth as they navigate their path to wellness, connection, and resiliency.

“Just letting others know you’re there for them, that you’re available if they want to talk about it, can make a big difference,” Schirmer said. “Directly asking others, ‘How are you feeling? How is your mental health?’ can be a door opener for conversation and helping others finding the support they need.”

While ‘Find Your Way’ is a youth campaign promoting youth support and tools to navigate well-being, Schirmer said there are lessons in the program for people of all ages. “If you are struggling, make a connection and ask for help,” he said. “Don’t hesitate to reach out if someone you know needs support.”

Other local events in May include:

a series of mental health first aid trainings;
a Spanish-language suicide prevention training hosted by North Marin Community Services scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, May 11. Register by calling (707) 408-3657;
a discussion titled Real Talk Matters[External]: Fighting Fentanyl and Its Impact on Mental Healthhosted by OD Free Marin at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 9.

See the full list of May Mental Health Month events on the Marin HHS website.

If you or someone you know is in distress, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, go to 988lifeline.org[External] or text “MARIN” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

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Oakland Post: Week of March 4 – 10, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 4 – 10, 2026

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The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – February 25 – March 3, 2026

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Chase Oakland Community Center Hosts Alley-Oop Accelerator Building Community and Opportunity for Bay Area Entrepreneurs

Over the past three years, the Alley-Oop Accelerator has helped more than 20 Bay Area businesses grow, connect, and gain meaningful exposure. The program combines hands-on training, mentorship, and community-building to help participants navigate the legal, financial, and marketing challenges of small business ownership.

Published

3 weeks ago

February 21, 2026

Oakland Post

Bay Area entrepreneurs attend the Alley-Oop Accelerator, a small business incubation program at Chase Oakland Community Center. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Golden State Warriors and Chase bank hosted the third annual Alley-Oop Accelerator this month, an empowering eight-week program designed to help Bay Area entrepreneurs bring their visions for business to life.

The initiative kicked off on Feb. 12 at Chase’s Oakland Community Center on Broadway Street, welcoming 15 small business owners who joined a growing network of local innovators working to strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

At its core, the accelerator is designed to create an ecosystem of collaboration, where local entrepreneurs can learn from one another while accessing the resources of a global financial institution.

“This is our third year in a row working with the Golden State Warriors on the Alley-Oop Accelerator,” said Jaime Garcia, executive director of Chase’s Coaching for Impact team for the West Division. “We’ve already had 20-plus businesses graduate from the program, and we have 15 enrolled this year. The biggest thing about the program is really the community that’s built amongst the business owners — plus the exposure they’re able to get through Chase and the Golden State Warriors.”

According to Garcia, several graduates have gone on to receive vendor contracts with the Warriors and have gained broader recognition through collaborations with JPMorgan Chase.

“A lot of what Chase is trying to do,” Garcia added, “is bring businesses together because what they’ve asked for is an ecosystem, a network where they can connect, grow, and thrive organically.”

This year’s Alley-Oop Accelerator reflects that vision through its comprehensive curriculum and emphasis on practical learning. Participants explore the full spectrum of business essentials including financial management, marketing strategy, and legal compliance, while also preparing for real-world experiences such as pop-up market events.

Each entrepreneur benefits from one-on-one mentoring sessions through Chase’s Coaching for Impact program, which provides complimentary, personalized business consulting.

Garcia described the impact this hands-on approach has had on local small business owners. He recalled one candlemaker, who, after participating in the program, was invited to provide candles as gifts at Chase events.

“We were able to help give that business exposure,” he explained. “But then our team also worked with them on how to access capital to buy inventory and manage operations once those orders started coming in. It’s about preparation. When a hiccup happens, are you ready to handle it?”

The Coaching for Impact initiative, which launched in 2020 in just four cities, has since expanded to 46 nationwide.

“Every business is different,” Garcia said. “That’s why personal coaching matters so much. It’s life-changing.”

Participants in the 2026 program will each receive a $2,500 stipend, funding that Garcia said can make an outsized difference. “It’s amazing what some people can do with just $2,500,” he noted. “It sounds small, but it goes a long way when you have a plan for how to use it.”

For Chase and the Warriors, the Alley-Oop Accelerator represents more than an educational initiative, it’s a pathway to empowerment and economic inclusion. The program continues to foster lasting relationships among the entrepreneurs who, as Garcia put it, “build each other up” through shared growth and opportunity.

“Starting a business is never easy, but with the right support, it becomes possible, and even exhilarating,” said Oscar Lopez, the senior business consultant for Chase in Oakland.