Category Archives: Suicide Prevention Month

5/2- Suicide Prevention Messaging Matters Annual Webinar

The San Mateo County Suicide Prevention Committee is hosting below event that is free and open to the public. Please help us spread the word about this opportunity!

MESSAGING MATTERS ANNUAL WEBINAR

Learn safe and effective messaging about suicide prevention

Date: Tuesday, May 2, 2023  

Time: 1:30-3:00pm

Virtual Location: Zoom Webinar. Register here: bit.ly/2023messagingmatters

Details: Please join us for this annual webinar “Messaging Matters” to learn more about safe and effective messaging about suicide prevention. Participants will learn about responsible media reporting, how to engage the news media as partners in suicide prevention, and how to create effective suicide prevention materials and talking points. Presentation will be by subject matter expert Stan Collins, Suicide Prevention Specialist with California Mental Health Services Authority Technical Assistance Team. Flyer: View here and attached.

Please help us outreach to all members of our community, especially those who communicate publicly about suicide and suicide prevention. Examples include

  • Public information officers
  • Social media managers or influencers
  • Print media professionals (newspapers, magazines, journals, newsletters)
  • Broadcast media professionals (television, radio)
  • Journalists and student journalists
  • Presenters/trainers who present on suicide and suicide prevention

2022 September Suicide Prevention Month

Today is the first day of September Suicide Prevention Month!

For 2022, San Mateo County, StarVista and partners are promoting the statewide theme of “Take Action for Suicide Prevention: Thriving at all Ages.”  To support Thriving At All Ages, Californians are encouraged to take action for suicide prevention by recognizing the importance of strengthening resiliency, protective factors, and physical and emotional wellness throughout the lifespan and at difference life stages. To learn more about the statewide theme, please visit SuicideisPreventable.org

Each year, San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services’ Office of Diversity & Equity, StarVista, and Suicide Prevention Committee (SPC) promote free events throughout the month of September to promote Suicide Prevention Month. All events are free and open to the public. This year events will be in-person and/or virtual.  For full list of events and other ways to support suicide prevention throughout the month, visit SMCHealth.org/Suicide-Prevention-Month

Please show your support at your next virtual meeting with one of our 2022 Suicide Prevention Month virtual backgrounds (Download them at this webpage).  

2021 September Suicide Prevention Month | #Reconnect | Thank You, Highlights and Next Steps

The San Mateo County Suicide Prevention Committee and the BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity thanks you for supporting Suicide Prevention Month!

Some highlights throughout the month include:

– 15 events targeted for various interests, age groups and languages (English and Spanish). Big thank you to the many community partners who hosted these great events
– 350+ estimated to have attended or viewed the recording for the 15 SPM events
– 38,400+ views across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and blog social media posts

Next steps:

– Missed some of events? You can watch recordings for some of our events by visiting smchealth.org/suicide-prevention-month.
– Review Suicide Prevention Roadmap (Newly Released): As we close 2021 September Suicide Prevention Month, we are excited to introduce the Suicide Prevention Roadmap 2021-2026 which outlines our strategy for local suicide prevention work beyond this past month. You can find this Roadmap and additional resources at smchealth.org/SuicidePrevention.
– Join Suicide Prevention Committee : Stay involved with the Suicide Prevention Committee (SPC) which is open to the public. You can just join our mailing list to stay in the loop or you can get more involved and join our meetings and workgroups. To join SPC, contact Sylvia Tang at STang@smcgov.org.

If you know someone who is in a suicidal crisis or emotional distress, please reach out for 24/7 confidential crisis support: call 650-579-0350 (or 1-800-273-8255) or text “BAY” to 741741.

Suicide Prevention Month: Find the Words

💬 If you’re worried about someone, mention the behaviors you have been noticing and ask directly about suicide. Saying the words directly, “Are you thinking about suicide?” can be difficult, but when it comes to suicide prevention, none are more important. Remember you are not alone. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 if you are concerned about a loved one or in crisis yourself.

For full list of free events happening throughout this month in honor of Suicide Prevention Month, visit SMCHealth.org/Suicide-Prevention-Month.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact one of these 24/7 hotlines: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 StarVista Crisis Hotline: 650-579-0350 Crisis Text Line: Text “Bay” to 741-741


💬 Si está preocupado por alguien, comience la conversación mencionando los cambios en comportamiento que ha notado y pregunte directamente sobre el suicidio. ¿Decir “estás pensando en el suicidio?” puede ser difícil, pero cuando tiene que ver con el suicidio, estas palabras son las más importantes. Recuerde, no está solo. Si está preocupado por alguien o si usted está en crisis, llame a La Red Nacional para la prevención del Suicidio al 1-888-628-9454.

Para conocer la información sobre los eventos gratuitos y la proclamación de la Junta de Supervisores ingrese a SMCHealth.org/Suicide-Prevention-Month.

Si usted o alguien a quien conoce tiene pensamientos suicidas, llame a alguna de estas líneas de ayuda, las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana: Línea nacional de prevención del suicidio 1-800-273-8255 Línea directa para crisis de StarVista: 650-579-0350 Línea de mensajes de texto ante crisis: Envíe “Bay” al 741-741

9/15- Ask Me Anything: Candid Conversations on Suicide

This Wednesday, join us for an enlightening, educational, and de-stigmatizing discussion about suicide. This “ask me anything” style event will allow audience participants to ask suicide survivors any questions they may have about suicide. Fellow suicide survivors and those who have less opportunity to talk about suicide are welcome. The speakers include three suicide survivors who have graduated from the Lived Experience Academy speakers training.

Recommended for ages 13+

Register at redwoodcity.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceGsqTsvHNzvFGtvgK-q-iGKjMmLNsAr

This event is co-sponsored by the Redwood City Public Library and San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services – Office of Diversity and Equity. If you or someone you know are experiencing a crisis call the StarVista 24/7 Crisis Hotline at 650-579-0350 or Text “BAY” to 741741

Tonight at 6pm: Music and Poetry in Observance of World Suicide Prevention Day

🎼 In honor of World Suicide Prevention Day join us for our event tonight at 6pm, “Music and Poetry in Observance of World Suicide Prevention Day”. We will acknowledge the struggle people have with suicide through beautiful music, poetry, and stories from speakers with lived experience.

The event will conclude with a call to action to light a candle in honor of loved ones lost to suicide.

For full list of free events happening throughout this month in honor of Suicide Prevention Month, visit SMCHealth.org/Suicide-Prevention-Month.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact one of these 24/7 hotlines:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
StarVista Crisis Hotline: 650-579-0350
Crisis Text Line: Text “Bay” to 741-741

Suicide Prevention Week “Reconnect” Activity Challenge #5

🕯️Challenge #5
It is World Suicide Prevention Day! Observed each year on September 10th, On this special day, complete the fifth Suicide Prevention Week “Reconnect” Activity Challenge by joining thousands of others in showing your support for suicide prevention and to remember loved ones lost to suicide by lighting a candle 🕯 🕯 🕯 near a window or sharing on social media at 8PM. Learn more at suicideispreventable.org/prevention-kit.php.

For full list of free events happening throughout this month in honor of Suicide Prevention Month, visit SMCHealth.org/Suicide-Prevention-Month.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact one of these 24/7 hotlines:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 
StarVista Crisis Hotline: 650-579-0350 
Crisis Text Line: Text “Bay” to 741-741

🕯️ Desafío n.º 5
¡Es el Día mundial de la prevención del suicidio! Como cada 10 de septiembre de todos los años, en este día especial, complete la quinta actividad del desafío (“challenge”) “Reconectar” uniéndose a miles de otras personas para demostrar su apoyo a la prevención del suicidio y recordar a los seres queridos víctimas del suicidio encendiendo una vela 🕯 🕯 🕯 cerca de una ventana o compartiendo en las redes sociales a las 8 p. m. Obtenga más información en suicideispreventable.org/prevention-kit.php. #SuicidePrevention #Reconnect 

Para conocer una lista completa de los eventos gratuitos de este mes en honor al mes de la prevención del suicidio, visite SMCHealth.org/Suicide-Prevention-Month. 

Si usted o alguien a quien conoce tiene pensamientos suicidas, llame a alguna de estas líneas de ayuda, las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana:
Línea nacional de prevención del suicidio 1-800-273-8255 
Línea directa para crisis de StarVista: 650-579-0350 
Línea de mensajes de texto ante crisis: Envíe “Bay” al 741-741

Suicide Prevention Week “Reconnect” Activity Challenge #4

🌬️ Challenge #4
Today’s Suicide Prevention Week “Reconnect” Activity Challenge is focused on a simple, but profound coping skill: Breathing. Schedule a 10-minute ‘Breathe Break’ into your calendar and use this time to remove distractions and partake in a breathing exercise of your choice. This can be done individually, during a zoom meeting, or even as a family! Learn more at suicideispreventable.org/prevention-kit.php.

For full list of free events happening throughout this month in honor of Suicide Prevention Month, visit SMCHealth.org/Suicide-Prevention-Month.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact one of these 24/7 hotlines:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 
StarVista Crisis Hotline: 650-579-0350 
Crisis Text Line: Text “Bay” to 741-741

🌬️ Desafío n.º 4
Hoy, la actividad “Reconectar” del desafío (“challenge”) de la Semana de la prevención del suicidio, se enfoca en una habilidad de afrontamiento muy sencilla pero intensa: la respiración. Programe un “descanso para respirar” de 10 minutos en su agenda, y utilice este tiempo para deshacerse de distracciones e iniciar un ejercicio de respiración de su elección. ¡Esto se puede hacer de manera individual, durante una reunión por Zoom o incluso en familia! Obtenga más información en suicideispreventable.org/prevention-kit.php. 

Para conocer una lista completa de los eventos gratuitos de este mes en honor al mes de la prevención del suicidio, visite SMCHealth.org/Suicide-Prevention-Month. 

Si usted o alguien a quien conoce tiene pensamientos suicidas, llame a alguna de estas líneas de ayuda, las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana:
Línea nacional de prevención del suicidio 1-800-273-8255 
Línea directa para crisis de StarVista: 650-579-0350 
Línea de mensajes de texto ante crisis: Envíe “Bay” al 741-741
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