title
Adopt and present a resolution recognizing the week of September 9-15, 2018 as “Suicide Prevention Week” in Solano County (Chair Vasquez)
body
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 adopt and present a resolution recognizing the week of September 9-15, 2018 as “Suicide Prevention Week” in Solano County
SUMMARY:
Suicide is a significant public health crisis that impacts individuals’ families, friends, and community. Statistics from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) indicate that suicide is the 11th leading cause of death for all ages in California and 2nd leading cause of death among individuals under the age of 34, claiming approximately 4,300 lives statewide. Nationally, AFSP estimates that in the United States there are approximately 45,000 deaths due to suicide every year with an average of 123 suicides per day. Suicide is also a major health concern at a local level. In 2017, Solano County experienced 45 suicide deaths (in 2016, there were 44 deaths by suicide), of which 47% were individuals between the ages of 26-59. 69% of Solano County suicides were committed by men and 33% of suicide deaths involved a firearm.
This resolution recognizes suicide as a national, statewide, and local public health problem, and suicide prevention as a national, statewide, and local responsibility, and designates September 9th through 15th as “National Suicide Prevention Week” in Solano County. This week overlaps World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th which is recognized internationally and supported by the World Health Organization.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The cost associated with preparing the agenda item is nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2018/19 Approved Budget. The costs associated with preparation and purchase of the resolution materials are included in the Board’s FY2018/19 Approved Budget.
DISCUSSION:
Solano County Behavioral Health continues to engage in suicide prevention activities under Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) services to support the community in implementation of strategies outlined in the Solano County Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan 2017 <http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=27271>. This Plan was created through a comprehensive stakeholder process under the guidance of the Suicide Prevention Committee, hosted by Behavioral Health, and actively involves representatives across all service sectors.
With the hope of eventually reaching zero suicide deaths, the Suicide Prevention Plan has three main goals: 1) increase awareness about suicide, 2) provide strategies to prevent suicide, 3) act as a guide for public and private entities to work collaboratively to address suicide. Recognizing Suicide Prevention Week is an important contribution for continuing to increase public awareness. Suicide is largely preventable with the right actions and knowledge about suicide, and with a change in society’s view of suicide that would make it more acceptable to seek help.
Suicide Prevention activities completed during FY2017/18 include:
• Behavioral Health provided two rounds of Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) 2-day trainings and 5 Mental Health First Aid 1-day trainings to combat stigma and educate the community on how to recognize the signs of mental illness and suicide risk.
• Behavioral Health partnered with the Solano County Office of Education (SCOE) to develop an informational letter for students, parents, and school personnel on how to recognize signs of mental illness and resources for suicide prevention that was provided to each school district to disseminate.
• Area on Agency, in partnership with Behavioral Health, provided 5 Suicide Prevention Trainings for community members.
• NorthBay Healthcare and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention partnered to host the annual Survivor Day held on November 19, 2017 focused on providing support for individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide.
• Behavioral Health conducted outreach to local businesses that sell firearms and firing ranges in Solano County to redistribute firearm safety brochures, which were developed in partnership between Behavioral Health, Solano County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office, and local firearms instructors. The brochure includes information on how to approach a friend or family member who owns a firearm and may be experiencing an emotional crisis in order to encourage the individual to store his/her firearm off site. Additionally, the brochure includes suicide prevention resources: the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number, the local Crisis Stabilization Unit address and phone number, and the Solano County Mental Health Access Line number.
• Members of the Suicide Prevention Committee, in partnership with local law enforcement agencies, participated in “National Night Out” events throughout the County to combat stigma and provide information about suicide prevention.
Pending or ongoing Suicide Prevention activities include:
• Behavioral Health and community partners will continue to distribute stigma reduction and suicide prevention materials countywide.
• Behavioral Health will partner with SCOE to distribute Suicide Prevention Week School Toolkits to all of the middle schools and high schools in Solano County.
• Behavioral Health will continue to provide prevention trainings focused on stigma reduction and suicide awareness for providers, partners, school personnel, and community members.
• NorthBay Healthcare, in partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, will hold the annual Survivor Day on Saturday November 17, 2018 to support community members who have lost a loved one to suicide.
• Behavioral Health will continue to partner with local law enforcement agencies to provide crisis intervention team (CIT) training for officers, including deputies working in the local jails.
• Behavioral Health, in partnership with members of the Suicide Prevention Committee and local movie theaters, will run suicide awareness public service announcements throughout the County featuring the local winners of the 2018 “Directing the Change” film contest, an “Each Mind Matters” State contest that highlights short films created by high school students to address mental health stigma.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to adopt and present the resolution. This is not recommended because this is an opportunity to raise awareness and promote community discussion regarding suicide prevention.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Solano County Suicide Prevention Committee endorses the resolution.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION