UCSF Trauma Recovery Center

09/03/2026

September Is National Su***de Prevention Month
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health, su***de or substance use crisis, or emotional distress, dial or text 988 to get support 24/7 at the Su***de and Crisis Lifeline.
Or get chat support at 988lifeline.org with a trained crisis counselor.

A su***de-related crisis can feel sudden, unpredictable, and dramatic, and we may be caught off-guard and feel unsure what to do. If someone in your life struggles with suicidal ideation, offer to listen in an open, nonjudgmental, and compassionate way. Active listening, without trying to debate or disprove what they say, will help them to feel heard and validated.

Help connect them to mental health services. Psychotherapy (such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) can be effective in helping them to understand their feelings, learn coping skills, and gain lasting psychological wellbeing and resiliency. Suicidal thoughts are a symptom, and treatment exists.. There is hope.

The Trauma Recovery Center joins other mental health service organizations, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members this month, in fostering su***de prevention awareness. We thank our funding partners at the local (SF City and County, SF District Attorney Victim Services), state (CA Victim Compensation Board) and federal (Office of Refugee Resettlement) levels for making our services possible.
https://www.nami.org/co-occurring-conditions/risk-of-su***de/

Thoughts of su***de can be frightening. But by reaching out for help or checking in with family and friends, we can avoid devastating outcomes.

08/10/2026

August is National Wellness Month
Wellness means how we actively sustain our overall well-being. Making wellness a priority in our day-to-day lives helps us to resilient, to handle and recover from challenges, and to preserve our emotional and physical health. It helps us to think, feel, and function at our best.

Wellness includes self-care -- beneficial routines and habits such as healthy eating, sleep and rest, exercise -- as well as good boundaries and supportive relationships, and our daily choices. Wellness can mean seeking help, including professional help, if you need it.

The Trauma Recovery Center provides crucial mental health services and related support to help those affected by trauma, to regain their life functioning and wellbeing. Our services are supported by funding from local (City and County of San Francisco; SF District Attorney Victim Services Division), state (California Victim Compensation Board), and federal (Office of Refugee Resettlement) sources.

We hope you prioritize daily self-care and other forms of wellness every day, during this month and beyond!

08/06/2026

July is Bebe Moore Campbell BIPOC Mental Health Month.
Bebe Moore Campbell was an author, playwright, advocate, teacher, and journalist who brought attention to the mental health impacts of racism and the unique challenges and strengths of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) individuals and communities.

She wrote novels, nonfiction, essays and articles in major media, and the children's books, Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry, which won the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Outstanding Literature Award for 2003. She founded NAMI-Inglewood after facing challenges in obtaining mental health resources for her own daughter. Congress recognized her work in 2008 by recognizing her work and its focus every August.

The TRC serves clients and BIPOC and other under-served communities with crucial mental health services, thanks to funding from our local (City and County of SF, SF DA), state (California Victim Compensation Board), and federal funding.

Each July, MHA is proud to recognize Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month (also referred to as BIPOC Mental Health Month). Named in honor of teacher, author, advocate, and journalist Bebe Moore Campbell, this month is a time to focus on the unique strengths and challen...

07/02/2026

July Is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
Bebe Moore Campbell was a trailblazer, whose books, including “The 72-Hour Hold” and “Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry,” addressed the impact of racism on mental health and the enduring strength of culture, community and connections. Beyond her writing, she co-founded NAMI Urban Los Angeles, and her groundbreaking work revolutionized how we approach mental health in underserved communities. She highlighted the consequences of stigma on the lack of mental health care for communities of color.
Campbell shed light on the unique struggles faced by people of color and advocated for their voices to be heard, and for inclusive and equitable resources for mental health care and support.
After Campbell’s passing, her friends, family and allied advocates pushed to have her life and work be honored, and in 2008, July was nationally declared as Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Awareness Month through a Congressional resolution backed b y bipartisan support.
Join NAMI in celebrating Bebe Moore Campbell’s legacy and mental health across all communities.

Bebe Moore Campbell was a literary trailblazer, who used her words in books including, “The 72-Hour Hold” and “Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry,” to address the profound impact of racism, mental health and the enduring strength of culture, community and connections. However, her impact extended...

06/11/2026

June is PTSD Awareness Month
Traumatic events can have lasting effects on a person’s mental health, and having longer term symptoms after experiencing trauma related to violence, physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, accidents, loss, natural disasters, systemic discrimination, and other causes can lead to a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

PTSD symptoms can co-exist with other conditions such as substance use disorders, depression and anxiety. About 1 of every 20 adults in the U.S. experiences PTSD annually.

There are effective treatments to help those with PTSD to reduce symptoms and obtain a better quality of life. Be aware of your own and others' needs, and encourage yourself or others to seek guidance and treatment if needed. Awareness and support are crucial first steps to getting better.

How EMDR Healed My Trauma It is through my own experience with loud sound as the most healing salve I have ever known that I recognize how deeply many of us want to feel better. Blog NAMI Blog Read more

06/05/2026

Today is National Gun Violence Awareness Day

in Solidarity

Today, we Wear Orange to honor lives impacted by gun violence and to raise awareness about the importance of prevention, healing, and community support. As part of the ZSFG Level 1 Trauma Center, we see firsthand the devastating impact of gun violence on individuals, families, and communities.

The Trauma Recovery Center serves many individuals who have been profoundly affected by gun violence. TRC's services help them to regain their life functioning and wellbeing. This work is made possible through our funding partners at the local and state levels, including the City and County of San Francisco, the SF District Attorney's Victim Services Division, and the California Victim Compensation Board.

Trauma can affect anyone, and recovery often requires compassion, connection, and access to care. We honor the patients, families, caregivers, first responders, and healthcare professionals whose lives and work are touched by trauma.

During National Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange Weekend this June 5-7, join us as we honor survivors of gun violence.

05/08/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
Mental health issues affect us all -- personally, in our families, and in our communities. This month is an opportunity to speak with those in our lives about mental health. By having open, supportive conversations, we reduce stigma. We can promote awareness, understanding, and support for people to get help if they need it. The TRC exists to serve survivors of trauma with comprehensive services that help them regain their wellbeing. This crucial work is made possible by local, state, and federal funding, including from the city and county of San Francisco, SF District Attorney Victim Services Division, California Victim Compensation Board, and the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement. Learn more about Mental Health Awareness Month efforts nationwide at NAMI:

Mental Health Awareness Month provides a chance to stand with your community and show that no one struggles alone.

04/20/2026

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is April 19–25
“Listen. Act. Advocate. Protect victims, serve communities.”

This week brings people together to recognize the impact of crime, honor survivors, and renew our commitment to victims’ rights and services.

Crime deeply affects victims and survivors: physically, financially, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. No one should have to face crime-related trauma alone. TRC is among the over 12,000 victim service programs in the United States. We help survivors rebuild their lives, with support from local and state funding, including the California Victim Compensation Board, the City and County of San Francisco Affiliation Agreement, and the SF District Attorney's Office.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is a time to look back on the advances of the past 45 years, honor the strength and resilience of survivors, and renew our promise to support victims’ rights every day.

https://victimsofcrime.org/national-crime-victims-rights-week/

04/13/2026

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Sexual assault is all too prevalent and profoundly affects all of us, as individuals and communities, directly and indirectly. We come together in listening to, supporting, and honoring sexual assault survivors, and letting those of us impacted by sexual violence that they are not alone.
Sexual violence affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. Join us to acknowledge the resilience of survivors. Wearing teal clothing, or teal ribbons (available at the TRC) during this month, and wearing denim on Denim Day on April 29, are visual ways to show solidarity with survivors.
The TRC's services for survivors of sexual assault in San Francisco are supported by vital funding from the City and County of San Francisco, a grant from the SF District Attorney's Office, and the state Victim Compensation Board. Together, we create spaces where everyone feels safe, valued, and respected, and can continue their journey toward healing, recovery, and wellbeing.

This year’s theme, “25 Years Stronger: Looking Back, Moving Forward,” celebrates the resilience of survivors and the communities that have worked for change.

04/02/2026

April is National Stress Awareness Month

Knowing how to manage stress can improve mental and physical well-being as well as minimize exacerbation of health-related issues. Stress is physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension, and we can experience it in many different ways, including feeling numb, sad, frustrated or helpless, finding it hard to concentrate or make decisions, and experiencing physical problems like headaches, bodily pain, and stomach disorders, as well as depression. Stress can damage our health further if we turn to alcohol or drugs in an attempt to cope. Stress can affect our relationships with others.

Here are some basic ideas to help ourselves cope with stress:

Take care of yourself – prioritize healthy eating, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and taking breaks when you need them.

Share your problems and how you are feeling with a family member, friend, or other trusted person.

Avoid drugs and alcohol. These create more problems and ultimately increase stress.

Recognize when you need more help – know when to talk to a psychologist, social worker or counselor.

Potentially the most valuable takeaway here is knowing how to talk to others about your stress. This goes both ways, as you need to know how to discuss your problems with others as well as talk to anyone that comes to you with their issues.

April is recognized as National Stress Awareness Month to bring attention to the negative impact of stress. Managing stress is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. Knowing how to manage stress can improve mental and physical well-being as well as minimize exacerbation of health-related iss...