Skip to main content

County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Board Encourages Community to Nominate Local Heroes

• The nomination period is open now through January 17, 2025.
• The Heroes Awards recognize community members and organizations that have made a difference in the lives of those with behavioral health challenges.
• One award is selected for each of the 11 categories.

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – The County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Board is seeking nominations for the 14th Annual Behavioral Health Community Heroes Awards, which honor individuals and organizations that have made an extraordinary impact on the lives of those facing behavioral health challenges. Nominations will be accepted through January 17, 2025.
 
These awards recognize individuals and organizations providing exemplary service to county residents affected by mental illness and substance use disorders. Community Heroes can include professional service providers, members of the faith-based community, law enforcement, and other dedicated community members.
 
Eligibility Requirements
 
The Behavioral Health Board will recognize a total of 11 heroes, one in each of the following categories: 

  • Agency: An agency whose services for individuals with behavioral health challenges are consumer and family-focused, professional, caring, compassionate, and innovative. The agency goes beyond standard services/treatment and truly seeks to improve a client’s/consumer’s quality of life.
  • Consumers/Clients: An individual who has received behavioral health services, demonstrated impressive personal achievements and provided hope, inspiration, or knowledge to others facing similar challenges.
  • Educator: A professional educator who goes above and beyond to provide behavioral health services. This may include instructors, behavioral health professionals, coaches, counselors, and others.
  • Elected Official: A current elected official who has provided exemplary service in advocating for those with behavioral health challenges and/or is working to eliminate the stigma and stereotypes surrounding these diseases. 
  • Faith-Based: A faith-based organization that has provided extraordinary services, including community support activities.
  • Family Member: An individual with a family member receiving behavioral health services. Additionally, they have played an active role in enhancing the lives of families affected by behavioral health challenges. They do this through advocacy, programs or activities that go beyond their own family circumstances and positively impact the community and/or service delivery system.
  • Mover and Shaker: A person who has recognized critical behavioral health needs in the greater community and has created and promoted collaborative, innovative and creative initiatives to serve those in need.
  • Young Mover and Shaker: A person under 26 who has recognized critical behavioral health needs in the greater community and has created and promoted collaborative, innovative and creative initiatives that serve those in need.
  • Media:  A Media Community Hero provides helpful information through news outlets, guiding people to appropriate mental health resources. In their coverage/reporting, they successfully follow the national recommendations and guidelines for reporting on suicide.
  • Program: A behavioral health program that provides unique services that have had an extraordinary impact on consumers, family members and the community.
  • Volunteer: An individual who has impacted the behavioral health community and is not compensated monetarily for their efforts.

The criteria for consideration of an award include demonstrating a commitment to the selected category, inspiring others to believe they can make a difference, engaging community members, and bridging differences among communities. Past honorees have included students, civic leaders now in elected office, educators from our local colleges and universities, and everyday heroes who volunteer or go the extra mile in their service. Board members and their families are not eligible for nominations; nominations should be based on recent activity but may recognize a long-term activity or service. Awards are limited to nominees residing in or providing services in Santa Clara County.
 
Honorees will be recognized at the Annual Behavioral Health Community Heroes Awards in May 2025. Additional event details will be available when confirmed.
 
For additional information and to submit a Heroes nomination, please visit the link: https://bit.ly/2025HeroesNomination

MEDIA CONTACT:
Maury Kendall
County of Santa Clara Health System
408-793-6666