April 2020 News & Updates
Stay connected!
Information, questions, comments.... about ARISE?
Contact Eddie Stiel
eddie@mentalhealthsf.org
Visit our website & sign up for ARISE events and meetings!
Hope to see you soon!
Join us on our Facebook Page! This is a space for members to share advocacy information around mental health in San Francisco, pose questions to each other, and collaborate.
We are distributing the April 2020 ARISE newsletter during an unprecedented Shelter In Place order from the SF Department of Public Health and from California Governor Gavin Newsom, which is now extended until May 3.

Because of the Shelter In Place order, ARISE cannot meet in person in April. We are considering different options for staying connected during this difficult and unusual period. Please keep in touch by reaching out to Eddie Stiel at eddie@mentalhealthsf.org for any reason.

Here are a some resources for support. Please visit the MHASF website for updates on resources and other information.



  • Institute on Aging Friendship Line: 800-971-0016

  • LGBT National Hotline: 888-843-4564
 
  • Trans Lifeline’s Peer Support Hotline: 877-565-8860


Of course, because of the Shelter In Place Order, almost every public event is now cancelled. Accordingly, this month's Newsletter has less content than usual. It will return to a more robust version as Shelter In Place Orders lift.
SF Board of Supervisors Unanimously Approves Mission District Hummingbird Respite Center
On March 17, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors (SFBOS) voted 11-0 to approve the Hummingbird Place Respite Center at 1156 Valencia Street.

The Center will provide 30 overnight beds and 25 drop-in spots for homeless and formerly homeless people with behavioral health issues. The City plans to open it in April.

At a February 27 community meeting held at the site, MHASF staff, ARISE and Mad Mob SF members joined other community members to speak in support of Hummingbird Place. This advocacy helped pave the way for the approval of this much needed program.

Read more about the SFBOS approval of the Valencia Street Hummingbird Place in the SF Examiner.
ARISE Member Shows Solidarity With Detained Immigrants
Read more about the March 31 car rally protest on Indybay. Also, check out this video report of the same event.
Will The San Francisco City Government Place Homeless People in Unused Hotel Rooms During COVID-19 Shelter In Place?
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors and Mayor London Breed have discussed renting hotel rooms that are now unused because the COVID-19 crisis has cratered tourism in San Francisco. Thus far, the City is reserving any such hotel rooms for medical workers and COVID-19 patients, not for homeless people who live on the street or in shelters or for Single Room Occupancy (SRO) residents.

In the SF Examiner, Chris Herring and Neil Gong explain why San Francisco should "get ahead of the curve and place all unhoused people as quickly as possible in hotels or comparable units."

The Tenderloin People's Congress is circulating an online petition " Homeless Should have a Hotel Room During this Health Crisis." You can read and consider signing it here .
Voluntary Services First Coalition

The Voluntary Services First Coalition formed to oppose San Francisco's effort to expand the criteria for losing one’s civil liberties through conservatorships.

Please attend the next meeting of the Voluntary Services First Coalition:

Friday, May 15, 2020, 2 PM to 3:30 PM
Senior and Disability Action
1360 Mission Street, Suite 400 (between 9th and 10th Streets)
April Mental Health Topics
April 6 - 12 is National Public Health Week
Work or Volunteer with MHASF!
Mental Health Association of San Francisco has multiple job opportunities available. Please check our website, linked below, if you are interested!
The Warm Line
Warm Line Hours Are 24 Hours Per Day
Everyday of the Week!
Mental Health Association of San Francisco | 415-421-2926| 415-421-2928| info@mentalhealthsf.org| Website