Dr. Escobar named San Mateo Community Hero for 2023
Earlier this year, the World Health Organization issued a wake-up call to all countries to step up mental health services and support, citing a 25 percent increase in the global prevalence of anxiety and depression.
Dr. Sandy Escobar is no stranger to these issues. As the Director of the Integrated Behavioral Heath Services (IBHS) and Social Services Department at Ravenswood Family Health Network (Ravenswood) in East Palo Alto, she and Ravenswood’s team of healthcare practitioners serve nearly 20,689 people yearly – 13,113 adults and 7,576 children. She has been integral to building Ravenswood’s capacity to respond even before COVID by creating more coordinated approaches with primary care departments like pediatrics and maternal health, where patients needing mental health services often first seek services.
Dr. Escobar obtained her BA in Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles, and completed her doctoral in Psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology; San Diego. Since 1995, she has held several leadership and clinical positions in community behavioral health programs serving the most disadvantaged individuals in our communities.
Her professional track record includes successful advocacy of an integrative approach to services, building community partnerships, implementing new programs and advocacy for community culturally appropriate evidenced-based clinical therapies, outcomes – driven services, and clinical supervision for pre and postdoctoral students.
