Category Archives: Suicide Prevention

11/7 – San Mateo County Coroner’s Office Annual Presentation

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Join us for the San Mateo County Coroner’s Office Annual Presentation! Throughout the year, the Coroner’s Office investigates circumstances of sudden, unexplained, violent, and unnatural deaths, including suicide deaths, in San Mateo County.  

The Coroner’s Office is presenting to the San Mateo County Suicide Prevention Committee, covering topics including introduction to the Coroner’s Office, death investigation process, death review teams, recent data and shared resources with descendants.  

Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 
Time: 1:30-3:30pm Pacific Time 
Virtual Location: zoom.us/j/410362485 

Please help us spread the word, as everyone is welcome to attend. Come grab a virtual seat and get informed! 

If you or someone you know is struggling with an emotional distress or suicidal crisis, contact our 24/7 crisis hotlines: 
Call 650-579-0350 or 988 
Text “Bay” to 741-741 or 988 
Visit SanMateoCrisis.org

If you want to learn more about suicide prevention resources, visit SMCHealth.org/SuicidePrevention. 

Flyers: (PDF) | (PNG)

Youth Leaders Share Mental Health Advice to Parents at “What I Wish My Parents Knew” Forum

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In honor of Suicide Prevention Month, BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity’s Chinese Health Initiative partnered with Belmont, Redwood Shore, San Carlos Chinese Community  (BRSCC), and Star Vista’s Health Ambassador Youth Program to host the “What I Wish My Parents Knew” forum on Saturday, September 16, 2023.

The successful forum was led by San Mateo County youths Xin Xin Cai, Anthony Lee, and Anastasia Yang, with over 50 participants of parents, caregivers, and allies. As a way to ensure this forum was accessible to our communities, it was provided in English with Cantonese and Mandarin interpretation.

Youth leaders addressed mental health questions using their lens of the Chinese-American culture and provided insightful advice to parents and mental health clinicians in the audience. They identified the top reasons for not wanting to share about their mental health were stigma and not wanting to worry their parents. One piece of advice offered to address this challenge was for parents and caregivers to talk to teens about their mental health in ways that support teens as independent individuals such as giving them time and space.

To learn more about the Chinese Health Initiative, visit SMCHealth.org/CHI and follow them on Facebook.

Written by Alyson Suzuki, Chinese Health Initiative Co-Chair and Kayla Tolentino, BHRS’ Office of Diversity & Equity

Messaging Matters: Safe and Effective Messaging for Suicide Prevention

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Version en Español abajo | 以下為中文版本 

Hello, everyone! 

The way we talk about suicide can contribute to suicide prevention. Next time you bring up the topic of suicide, remember these helpful tips:  

  • Provide a suicide prevention resource
  • Educate the audience about warning signs and risk factors 
  • Avoid discussing details about the method of suicide 
  • Explain complexity of suicide. Avoid oversimplifying 
  • Focus on prevention. Avoid sensational language and images 

More suicide prevention events and resources at SMCHealth.org/SPM.  

Events happening this week:  

💜 Mon, 9/25 – Be Sensitive Be Brave at Belmont Library 

💜 Wed, 9/27 – Be Sensitive Be Brave at Atherton Library 

💜 Thurs, 9/28 – Be Sensitive Be Brave at Half Moon Bay Library 

💜  Thurs, 9/28 – Crafternoon hosted at SMC Pride Center, San Mateo 

💜 Fri, 9/29 – Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud via Zoom 

💜 Sat, 9/30 – Recovery Dance at P90 Friendship Hall, San Mateo 

Attend events, get involved and find support at SMCHealth.org/SPM. 

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, contact our 24/7 CRISIS hotlines:                
Call 650-579-0350 or 988                
Text “Bay” to 741-741 or 988                
Visit SanMateoCrisis.org  

In community,  

Sylvia Tang & Kristie Lui 

SP-Messaging-Matters-Tip_-Social-Media_EngDownload

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5/2- Suicide Prevention Messaging Matters Annual Webinar

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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
2023-Safe-Messaging-FlyerDownload

*NEW* Peer Support Group at Heart & Soul

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Alternatives To Suicide is a new approach to sharing about our experiences without the fear of judgment or coercion. Originally created by the Wildflower Alliance, this group is a safe non-clinical space for individuals who are personally experiencing suicidal thoughts and/or have attempted suicide.

The first in-person group will meet on Thursday, March 16, 3:30 – 5:00 pm at Heart & Soul’s Community Drop-In Center (1633 Old Bayshore Hwy. Suite 258, Burlingame, CA 94010).

The group will be offered on the 1st Thursday of the month on Zoom and on the 3rd Thursday of the month in person at Heart & Soul’s Burlingame location.

All participants must agree to respect and apply the Alternatives To Suicide Charter provided at the beginning of the group meetings.

​No registration is required. 

For questions, email info@heartandsoulinc.org.

Holiday Wellness Toolkit: Take Action for Self-Care

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  • Take Action for Self-Care #1. Check-in with others and get support when needed
  • Take Action for Self-Care #2. Listen to Music.
  • Take Action for Self-Care #3. Complete a Self-Care Assessment.
  • Take Action for Self-Care #4. How will you take action for mental health in 2023? Make time for self-care. Check-in with friends and family more often. Learn more about mental health and support options in community. Get support when needed.
  • Take Action for Self-Care #4. Are there ways that you can show gratitude to others by passing on kindness or joy?
  • Take Action for Self-Care #6. Practice mindful breathing once a day.

The holiday season is full of many colors, from cheerful reds and golds, to more calming tones, and somber hues. It is the multitude of colors that creates the special beauty of the season. This time of the year is an opportunity to celebrate and to acknowledge that not everyone feels festive. We can demonstrate the spirit of the season with kindness, generosity, and love by checking in with ourselves and others.  

It’s OK to not be happy. The holiday season is full of sights and sounds that can trigger symptoms of trauma, feelings of sadness, guilt, and shame because they are reminders of loss or vital things we do not have. When it seems like everyone else is swimming in joyful abundance, the contrast with how we are feeling can sharpen the pain. Even if we are fortunate enough to live in a comfortable home and be surrounded by helpful family, the increased presence of more intense socializing can cause anxiety.  

If you are feeling sadness or anger, ask yourself “what helps and what hurts”? Give a name to the things that trigger hard feelings and some thought to what makes you feel better. Simple things that can be found in everyday life are best, like taking a walk or ride outside, reading a favorite book, watching a beloved movie, or practicing deep breathing. If your feelings are overwhelming, you are not alone. It’s OK to reach out to someone you trust.  

It’s also OK to be happy. Rejoice in these feelings and cultivate gratitude that you can feel them. Whatever you may have been through this year, you do deserve to celebrate and feel good. However, practicing balance and self-care is just as important when you are happy. Nothing will spoil feelings of happiness like overdoing it. Incorporate movement every day, and get enough rest. If possible, reserve some quiet time for mindfulness practices, like deep breathing, and reflection.   

Read more

12/11 – Anonymous Gun Buyback

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Anonymous Gun Buyback | Saturday, December 11 10am-2pm | 1000 Skyway Road, San Carlos

Get cash for your unused or unwanted guns. No questions asked, we do not run ballistics, and you can remain completely anonymous. Receive up to $100 cash for a handgun/shotgun/rifle, and up to $200 cash for an assault rifle.
You can find more details in this event flyer and website.

These events are important in advancing San Mateo County’s Suicide Prevention Roadmap. To help educate the community, the Suicide Prevention Committee has also contributed suicide prevention outreach materials (listed below) for this event.

Please consider sharing this event with your network in the San Mateo County community.

2022 September Suicide Prevention Month

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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

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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.

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