Filipino Mental Health Initiative - San Francisco

09/11/2026

We’re continuing the community activation of the Sun Dome with a Sun Set Celebration! Come kick off Filipino American History Month with us for a night filled with community, art, reflection, and dancing.

This choreography of light transcends space and time, connecting the Filipino diaspora to the motherland’s natural rhythm—a luminous reminder of identity, of belonging, of home. 

Presented in collaboration with Yerba Buena Conservancy, Yerba Buena Gardens, and Yerba Buena Partnership, it is the first Filipino cultural marker in Yerba Buena. We will have Kapwa is Medicine facilitator, Rafi Bunal, lead the evening, along with youth from Sama-Sama Cooperative and special guests. Come dressed in your Philippine regalia and participate in the Walk Off, whether traditional or modern, dressed-up or keeping it casual, come authentically you! There will be a prize for who comes best dressed.

As the Sun Dome rises it will illuminate a not to be missed Riff-off DJ Bitesize & DJ Deeandroid.

The Sun Sala celebrations are supported by the Svane Family Foundation.

This event is in collaboration with SOMA Pilipinas and the Filipino Mental Health Initiative of San Francisco. The Philippine Sun (13°N, 122°E) is funded by the California Arts Council, Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development,  Office of Economic Development, the San Francisco Arts Commission, Yerba Buena Gardens Conservancy, and Yerba Buena Partnership. 

Go to bit.ly/102sunsala to RSVP for free. See you there!

08/07/2026

FMHI-SF would like to thank the Filipino Bar Association of Northern California (FBANC) for choosing us to be the Community Grant Recipient for 2026!!

Verma and Harvey were able to represent and receive the award for us during the FBANC Gala in late June. During the gala, we also received a Certificate of Recognition from San Francisco City Attorney, David Chiu!

We are grateful for these opportunities and recognitions from community. 🫶🏽

07/13/2026

A quick recap of our FMHI-SF Staff Retreat 2026 💐

Two weeks ago was our first time altogether at our new building for our FMHI-SF Staff Retreat. We were able to check-in, set our intentions, participate in sound therapy (thank you Monica!), reflect, laugh, and vision together all while being in our new space.

The building felt alive as we also saw our folks from SOMA Pilipinas, the Filipino American Development Foundation, and Galing Bata. ✨

These are just the firsts to our many more memories together in the building. 🥹

10/27/2025

✨ FMHI-SF JOB OPENING✨

The Filipino Mental Health Initiative is looking for a part-time Wellness Director! Thank you to everyone that has shown interest and applied so far. We are currently conducting rolling interviews with the last day for applications being Friday, November 7, 2025.

To learn more about the job position, please visit www.fmhi-sf.org/jobs

10/03/2025

The Filipino Mental Health Initiative–San Francisco has offered Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training for over a decade, strengthening mental health awareness across the South of Market and greater San Francisco. We believe education is a powerful tool for breaking stigma, especially within the Filipino & Filipina/o/x American community.

Although September’s Su***de Prevention Awareness Month has come to a close, we want to recognize the recipients of FMHI-SF’s 2025 Mental Health First Aid Training scholarship. These amazing individuals are committed to destigmatizing mental health in our community, who are now better equipped to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in adults and youth.

Maraming salamat to our kasamas at Excelsior Works! for hosting us. 🧡 And to everyone who joined us—thank you for helping grow a community of care and resilience.

Sign up for our email list or follow FMHI-SF on social media to stay updated on future opportunities. 🫶🏽 Together, we can end the stigma of mental health.

FMHI-SF.org
mentalhealthfirstaid.org
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If you or someone you love is experiencing a crisis, call the San Francisco Su***de Lifeline at (415) 781-0500 or text MYLIFE to 741741. Free, confidential support is available 24/7. In a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1 or head to your nearest hospital.

***depreventionawarenessmonth

09/03/2025

**CW/TW: su***de, mental illness, substance use**

Mental Health First Aid Training Scholarship Program 2025
Sponsored by the Filipino Mental Health Initiative of San Francisco

In recognition of Su***de Prevention Awareness Month this September, FMHI-SF will be offering scholarships to community members interested in becoming certified in Mental Health First Aid. These scholarships will cover the full cost of Youth Mental Health First Aid and/or Adult Mental Health First Aid courses. Priority will be given to applicants who live in San Francisco or work with programs or community-based organizations serving the Filipino and Filipina/o/x American community. BIPOC youth workers, organizational leaders, educators, caregivers, and parents are especially encouraged to apply.
What is Mental Health First Aid?
Similar to ‘First Aid’ and CPR, ‘Mental Health First Aid’ teaches individuals to help those experiencing mental health challenges or crises. Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. This training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care.
Learn more at www.fmhi-sf.org.

We are accepting applications for training scholarships until September 15th.
If you or someone you care about is in crisis and needs immediate support, please call the San Francisco Su***de Lifeline at (415) 781-0500 or text MYLIFE to 741741. Trained and experienced counselors are available FREE of charge 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist. If emergency medical care is needed, call 9-1-1 or go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital.
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***depreventionawarenessmonth

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Slide 1: Mental Health First Aiders certified with FMHI-SF in 2024.

05/31/2025

As May comes to a close we end to thank everyone in the FMHI-SF network who graciously shared what mental health means to them and why it’s important to have these dialogues in the Filipinx. This social media campaign is an extension of FMHI-SF’s “Usap Tayo!” that started in 2017. These conversations don’t stop here, let’s continue talking about it together. 🫂

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Usap Tayo! is a yearly social media campaign organized by the Filipino Mental Health Initiative of San Francisco. Launched in May 2017 in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month and Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Usap Tayo (Tagalog for “Let’s Talk”) is a collection of video narratives from our beloved community members courageously sharing their mental health journeys.

Usap Tayo! is an invitation to continue the dialogue with your elders, loved ones, friends, colleagues, community leaders, and children. We hope you may find healing and a sense of empowerment in these beautiful kwentos (stories). ​Follow our Youtube channel for up to date access of Usap Tayo video narratives. You may also access our video archive below.

​​“Together, we can end the stigma on mental health.”

05/30/2025

05/29/2025

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH 2025 🫂

CHRISTINE R. MELENDRES, LCSW
ADUA Filipinx Mental Health Therapist Network

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FMHI-SF asked our staff, interns, and programs such as Buong Loob, ADUA, Kapwa is Medicine, and Brokada Healing Collective what mental health means to them and why is it important for us to normalize dialogue around mental health and wellness in our communities.

Usap tayo! Let’s talk! 🌿

05/29/2025

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH 2025 🫂

NIKKI ABELEDA, LCSW (THEY/SHE/SIYA)
ADUA Filipinx Mental Health Therapist Network

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FMHI-SF asked our staff, interns, and programs such as Buong Loob, ADUA, Kapwa is Medicine, and Brokada Healing Collective what mental health means to them and why is it important for us to normalize dialogue around mental health and wellness in our communities.

Usap tayo! Let’s talk! 💫