San Luis Obispo County board proclaims May 2026 Mental Health Awareness Month, lists county events

The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors proclaimed May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month and called on residents to observe the month with events, programs and activities supporting prevention, wellness and stigma reduction.

Dr. Christina Rajlaw, division manager for prevention and outreach at the San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Health Department, told the board that mental health “is a foundational component of a thriving community” and urged normalizing help-seeking, saying, “It is okay to acknowledge when you are struggling and it is okay to ask for help.” She thanked the board for its continued investment in behavioral health services and said county efforts focus on expanding access, strengthening partnerships and supporting children and youth as well as older adults.

Brea Connelly, behavioral health prevention and education program manager, outlined county events planned for May intended to connect residents with resources and celebrate recovery. Her list included a Mental Health Month resource fair on May 7 at the downtown Slow Farmers Market (hosted by county behavioral health, Aspire Counseling Services, Transitions Mental Health Association and Balance Treatment Center), the Out of the Darkness campus walk on May 16 (hosted by Calpali and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention), and a community bike breakfast on May 19 in partnership with County Behavioral Health, Public Health and Slow Ride Share. Connelly also said the prevention and outreach team prepared flyers and mindfulness kits to distribute at events and encouraged community members to wear lime green to show support.

The board opened the public comment period on the proclamation and received no speakers. Several supervisors used the moment to publicly thank department staff for their work. Supervisor Ortiz Lake praised staff resilience and noted recent collaboration with local hospitals and partners in Paso Robles and Templeton. "Hats off to you," Ortiz Lake said. Supervisor Pashang and Supervisor Morettto offered similar thanks for the department’s work with vulnerable residents, and Supervisor Gibson said progress on reducing stigma has opened opportunities for residents to seek services and cited continued implementation of the county’s behavioral health strategic plan.

The proclamation calls on residents to observe Mental Health Awareness Month with appropriate programs, activities and ceremonies that support recovery and reduce stigma. No formal vote tally was recorded in the transcript; the board read the proclamation and returned the item to the agenda after presentations and comments.

The county’s announcement and event flyers are intended to connect residents with local resources and promote prevention and recovery services throughout May.