UCSF Trauma Recovery Center

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...

03/09/2026

March Is Brain Injury Awareness Month.
The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) leads the nation in observing Brain Injury Awareness Month, aiming to educate the public, reduce stigma, and highlight the challenges faced by over 5.3 million Americans living with permanent brain injuries. The campaign “My Brain Injury Journey” shares stories and promotes prevention of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and acquired brain injuries (ABI).
Clients with TBI are among those we serve at the UCSF Trauma Recovery Center. Our work is made possible by crucial support from local (City and County of SF, and SF District Attorney Victim Services), state (California Victim Compensation Board), and federal (Office of Refugee Resettlement) grant funding. Together, we are helping clients recover from trauma and attain mental health and wellbeing.

During Brain Injury Awareness Month, help the 5.3 million people in the U.S. who are living with a permanent brain injury-related disability.

02/17/2026

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.
Dating violence affects nearly 10% of all teenagers in the U.S. It is a form of intimate relationship violence, and it has serious short- and long-term consequence on mental health and unhealthy behaviors. Unfortunately, it often goes unreported due to victims' fear. Seek help from a trusted person at home, school, or your healthcare provider.

You can support young people to be aware of relationship violence and to learn healthy relationship skills. Learn more about warning signs, how to talk with teens about this crucial issue, the Love Is Respect Dating Abuse Hotline, and legal steps that can be taken to protect a child from an abusive relationship,

Teen dating violence awareness and prevention. We include information, resources, and tips regarding teen dating violence in the United States.

01/07/2026

January is Mental Wellness Month

The start of a new year is an opportunity to shift our focus from the holidays to our personal wellbeing. Many of us may make resolutions to improve our physical health (diet, exercise). It is equally vital to focus on our mental health!

Amid our busy lives, it is important to take the time to check in with ourselves about how we are doing mentally, and what could help -- ways to release stress, build resilience and other self-care skills, improve our personal relationships, feel gratitude, and nurture more positivity in our day-to-day lives. We can do the same with our loved ones. In this way, we can all validate and support mental health being as important as physical health in our lives, both as individuals and in our communities.

The TRC is thankful for our partners, including the California Victim Compensation Board, the SF District Attorney's Office Victim Services Division, and the Office of Refugee Resettlement, for enabling our services and support for those on their journey to recovering from trauma and rebuilding their mental wellness.

Healing services for survivors of interpersonal violence. The UCSF Trauma Recovery Center envisions a world where every survivor of violence gets the help they need to heal. We eliminate barriers to healing and inspire survivors to embrace hope. Our MissionServing adult survivors of interpersonal vi...

12/02/2025

Join us this Giving Tuesday (Dec 2) in supporting the vital work of the UCSF-ZSFG Trauma Recovery Center! See our overview video by clicking this link: https://youtu.be/M8pHUgUK0VE

Each day, Trauma Recovery Centers around the country, including our local San Francisco TRC, provide compassionate, patient-centered care that helps crime survivors heal from trauma, rebuild safety, and move forward with hope.

We’re also excited to share that 49ers Wide Receiver Ricky Pearsall is joining us in spreading awareness and encouraging our community to give back. His support shines a light on the impact of the UCSF Trauma Recovery Center. Click here ( https://mycausemycleats.org/player/ricky-pearsall/ ) to support Ricky Pearsall campaign My cause My cleats.🏈

Your contribution makes it possible for the UCSF-ZSFG to be there for survivors when they need it most. Let’s come together to uplift survivors by nurturing healing, safety, and growth. Click here to donate now! https://giving.ucsf.edu/fund/trauma-recovery-center



🎥NATRC Overview Video (3 min): https://youtu.be/M8pHUgUK0VE
💛Donate to UCSF Trauma Recovery Center: https://giving.ucsf.edu/fund/trauma-recovery-center
🏈Ricky Pearsall Campaign Page: https://mycausemycleats.org/player/ricky-pearsall/

He has defied the odds throughout his life — even survived cardiac arrest. Now through his foundation, Chasing M’s, the Buffalo Bills safety is transforming his story of survival into a movement that helps the next generation live boldly and ensures they have access to the same life-saving care ...

11/18/2025

November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, established in 2007, As many as 2.5 million youth per year experience homelessness. Along with losing their home, community, friends, and sense of stability and safety, many homeless youth are also victims of trauma. While trying to survive on the streets, youth are exposed to countless dangers, with an increased likelihood of substance abuse, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and risk of being trafficked.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has compiled a list of helpful resources, including age-related responses to trauma, for those affected by youth homelessness and for service providers, including mental health providers, child welfare workers, juvenile justice professionals, and policy makers.

November was first declared as National Homeless Youth Awareness Month in 2007.

10/08/2025

World Mental Health Day - October 10
Mental health is essential to overall wellbeing, yet millions of people still face barriers to care. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30 million people lack access to the mental health and substance use treatment they need.

World Mental Health Day, Oct. 10, shines a spotlight on the importance of mental wellbeing. It’s a moment to raise awareness, challenge stigma and advocate for stronger policies and services to support mental health for all.

The UCSF Trauma Recovery Center offers crucially needed mental health services, including for those who have suffered trauma as a result of violent crime. With our key local, state, and federal funding partners, including the California Victim Compensation Board and the SF District Attorney's Office, we are making a difference and welcome you to join our efforts to prioritize mental health care.

World Mental Health Day is October 10, 2025 and it shines a spotlight on the importance of mental wellbeing.

09/08/2025

September is National Su***de Prevention and Awareness Month. Su***de is a major public health problem with far-reaching social, emotional and economic consequences. The UCSF Trauma Recovery Center joins voices with our partners, along with mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members, to share that there is hope, help is available, and healing is possible. We thank our state and local funding partners, including CalVCB and the SF DA Victim Services Division, for supporting our crucial services to crime survivors to help them recover from trauma and restore their lives and wellbeing.
Resources:
https://afsp.org/national-suicide-prevention-month/
https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/suicide-prevention-month/

National Su***de Prevention Week is a moment in time in which we rally the public to create awareness of this leading cause of death, and inspire more and more people to learn how they can play a role in their communities in helping to save lives.