Suicide Prevention Committee Newsletter – August 2024

The Suicide Prevention Committee (SPC) provides oversight and direction to suicide prevention efforts in San Mateo County. Led by the Office of Diversity and Equity at San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, the committee is comprised of suicide attempt survivors, suicide loss survivors, behavioral health providers, social service providers, local transportation agency staff, and other community members passionate about preventing suicide in our community.

COMMITTEE UPDATES

• Latest Updates
  • SMC Suicide Prevention Committee Special Session
    • Tuesday, August 20^th, 2024 from 1:00pm – 2:30pm
    • Topics
      • San Mateo County Mobile Crisis Response Team presentation of crisis response
      • Suicide Prevention Month planning
    • Agenda
      • Q&A of crisis mobile Response Team presentation from1:15pm -1:45pm
      • Suicide Prevention Month planning from 1:45pm – 2:15pm
    • Registration Link
  • September 2024 Suicide Prevention Month Mini-Grant Application
    • Due July 31^st
    • Online applications are available here or PDF application here
• Monthly Meetings
  • Upcoming: 08/06/24 – Suicide Prevention Month Planning – Toolkit Review Suicide Prevention Resource Promotion
  • Prior: 07/02/24 – Updates on suicide prevention resource website/ flyer and start planning for September Suicide Prevention Month

UPCOMING EVENTS & TRAININGS

• California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Office of Suicide Prevention (OSP)
  • June Community of Practice Webinar Recording
  • Passcode:  X9&xwXKG

• 09/03/24
  • SPC In-Person Meeting, Group Photo & Outreach Materials:
  • San Mateo County Health Building E, 310 Harbor Blvd. Belmont, CA 94002

• 09/10/24
  • SAVE THE DATE
  • Further information TBD
  • In collaboration with Cloud Bell of the San Mateo County Library to facilitate World Suicide Prevention Day

NEWS

This section includes news that intersects with our local suicide prevention work:

• As Community Health Care Needs Grow, a Blueprint Outlines a Path Forward
• California Department of Public Health (CADPH) Crisis Hotlines, Warmlines and Resource
• National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention: Action Alliance Announces New Strategic Priorities
• California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Office of Suicide Prevention (OSP), California Youth Suicide Prevention Programs:
• Highlight Sheet (2023)

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESOURCES

CRISIS RESOURCES

• Countywide
  • Call San Mateo County Crisis Line (operated by StarVista) at (650) 579 – 0350
  • Call 988
• Statewide
  • Text 988
  • Chat 988
    • Para ayuda en español: https://988lifeline.org/es/chat/
  • Call or Text the California Youth Crisis Line at 1 (800) 843 – 5200

NON-CRISIS RESOURCES

• BE SENSITIVE, BE BRAVE
  • This is a two-hour foundational workshop that infuses culture and diversity throughout. The County offers a Mental Health version and a Suicide Prevention version.
• MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
  • This is an eight-hour skills-based training course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health or substance uses signs or crises. The County offers a youth and adult version of this workshop. For more information, contact: Sylvia Tang stang@smcgov.org

CALL TO ACTION!

We have the power to make a difference. By spreading awareness, providing support, and advocate for change, we can help people create a world where they feel seen, heard, and supported.

Here are ways you can help:

• Actively participate in the next SPC meeting:
  • Tuesday, August 6^th, 2024, 1:30pm-3:00pm
• Invite Someone New!
  • Ask new stakeholder, partner, agency, organization, community member to join the SPC mailing list.
• Announcements?
  • Have an important commission meeting? Upcoming event you would like to highlight?
    • Send an email by the second Tuesday of each month for co-chairs review to walter.ng@star-vista.org

QUESTIONS OR FEEDBACK? READY TO GET INVOLVED?
CONTACT US!

Martha Cervantes, LMFT #129448 (She/Her)
Director of StarVista Crisis Services
martha.cervantes@star-vista.org
(650) 208 – 3057

Sylvia Tang, MPP (She/Her)
Community Health Planner
San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services (BHRS) Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE)
stang@smcgov.org
(650) 208 – 5799

Walter Ng (He/Him)
Program Coordinator of StarVista Crisis Services
walter.ng@star-vista.org
(650) 722 – 7652