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Adopt and present a resolution recognizing the week of September 8-14, 2024 as National Suicide Prevention Week in Solano County (Supervisor Brown)
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Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services (H&SS) recommends the Board of Supervisors adopt and present a resolution recognizing September 8-14, 2024 as National Suicide Prevention Week in Solano County.
SUMMARY:
National Suicide Prevention Week is an annual campaign observed in the United States to educate and inform the general public about suicide prevention and rising suicide rates. It also aims to reduce the stigma surrounding suicide and encourage the pursuit of mental health assistance. Suicide is a preventable local, State, and national public health crisis that impacts individuals, families, friends, and the community. The 2022 statistics from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) indicate that suicide is the 11th leading cause of death for all ages in the United States. In 2022, there were an estimated 1.6 million suicide attempts in the United States and 49,476 Americans died by suicide.
National Suicide Prevention Week also incorporates World Suicide Prevention Day, which is September 10th and is recognized internationally and supported by the World Health Organization.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda submittal are nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2024/25 Working Budget. The costs associated with the purchase and preparation of resolution materials are included in the Board’s FY2024/25 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
Suicide is a preventable public health crisis that impacts individuals, families and friends, and the community. Nationally and locally, the rate of suicide is highest in middle-aged white men, and men die by suicide 3.85 times more than women. In 2022, white males accounted for 68.46% of suicide deaths in the nation. Firearms accounted for 54.64% of all suicide deaths.
According to 2022 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10 to 14, and the third leading cause of death among 15 to 24-year-olds. In 2022, the highest U.S. age-adjusted suicide rate by race/ethnicity was among American Indians and Alaskan Natives (16.11 per 100,000) and the second highest rate was among non-Hispanic Whites (15.38 per 100,000). Much lower rates were found among Black or African Americans and Asians and Pacific Islanders. Additionally, the Trevor Project’s 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People found that 41% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year.
In Solano County in 2023, there were 62 suicide deaths, of which 63% were white males. In the first six months of 2024, there have been 31 suicide deaths, which is nine less than the number of deaths this time last year, representing a 29% decrease. Of the fatalities, 90% were male, 58% were Caucasian/White, and 55% were 60 years of age or older. A chart reflecting the number suicide deaths in Solano County from 2014 to 2024 is attached (Attachment B).
Solano County Behavioral Health continues to engage in stigma reduction and suicide prevention activities through Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) services and by supporting the community strategies outlined in the Solano County Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan 2021, which was approved by the Board on August 24, 2021. The plan was created through a comprehensive community process under the guidance of the Solano County Suicide Prevention Committee and actively involved representatives across all service sectors. Behavioral Health is currently beginning the community planning process for the next three-year update to the Suicide Prevention Plan.
Behavioral Health, in partnership with the Public Health Division, was awarded $2,074,074 from the California Department of Public Health, Injury and Violence Prevention Branch (CDPH/IVPB) to participate in development and implementation of the State Youth Suicide Reporting and Crisis Response Pilot Program. The Board approved the revenue agreement on June 27, 2023. The two-year pilot program, which ends June 30, 2025, aims to develop, strengthen, and test models that support expanding activities, such as standardization of rapid reporting and suicide prevention responses, family and partner intervention and postvention, as well as an evaluation of causes of suicides. Efforts through this grant support early identification, intervention, and response through improved data tracking and trend analysis.
Solano County Behavioral Health will be raising awareness through co-sponsorship of a virtual multi-county Suicide Prevention Summit taking place on September 27, 2024, from 8:30 am - 4:30 p.m. (Attachment C) and the community is invited to join.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to adopt the resolution. This is not recommended because the resolution is an opportunity to raise awareness and promote community discussion regarding suicide prevention.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Solano County Suicide Prevention and Overdose Coalition, which is comprised of behavioral health providers, law enforcement, faith-based organizations, healthcare providers, local education agencies, consumers and family survivors continues to provide guidance and support for implementation of suicide prevention and postvention strategies locally. Additionally, several partners, including behavioral health contractors and local education agencies, support local suicide prevention efforts.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION