Ask. Listen. Connect.

Suicide Prevention & Recovery Month 2024

September Suicide Prevention and Recovery Month is celebrated each September to create awareness of this important and preventable health issue. During this month, Marin County BHRS and community-based partners come together to host virtual and in-person events for our community, including allies, providers, educators, students, and loss survivors. All are welcome!  This year, we are hosting more than eight different community events and are partnering with regional counties as invited presenters in person and virtually. This year’s campaign, “Ask. Listen. Connect.” is designed to support you and our community with the skills to talk directly and openly about mental health and suicidality. We believe that each one of us can play a life-saving role by talking openly and being a connection to Hope and Help.

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Suicide Prevention & Recovery Month Community Events

The focus of this meeting will address the nexus of suicide, substance use, and recovery. 

Speakers: 

  • Jeff Devido, MD, Marin County Addiction Specialist
  • Jahmeer Reynolds, Executive Director, Marin County Cooperation Team
  • Fay Zenoff, Senior Program Coordinator, OD Free Marin and others!

Hosted in partnership with Marin County Cooperation Team (MCCT) and OD Free Marin, this in person meeting will be held at the MCCT office located at: 2330 Marinship Way, Suite 100, Sausalito. Register here.

This hybrid event is an opportunity to grab some coffee and get to know one another. This is a space designated for the Peer Specialists working in the community. For this special event, allies and community members are welcome. A suicide prevention training will also be offered. New attendees will receive a new booklet on peer support and behavioral health. Registration not required.  Zoom link to join. 

Questions? Mark.Parker@MarinCounty.gov

The Board of Supervisors meets on scheduled Tuesdays, at 9 a.m. unless otherwise stated in the posted agenda.  Meetings are held in room 330 at the Marin County Civic Center.  More details here. The purpose of the Suicide Prevention Collaborative presentation is to showcase key highlights of our work, including the soon to launch Suicide & Overdose Fatality Review process and the new Data Dashboard.

Meetings are open to the public, and public participation is encouraged. You can:

Speakers:

  • Amit Rajparia, MD, Marin County Medical Director, Co-Chair of the Suicide Prevention Collaborative
  • Connie Mann, LMFT, Behavioral Health Regional Director, Buckelew Programs
  • Rick Hess, Mental Health Advocate
  • Kara Connors, MPH, Marin County Senior Program Coordinator

Come for a tattoo and stay for the burgers, raffle, & permanent bracelets! Temporary tattoos for the kiddos & those who want to support without getting tattooed. Location: Petaluma Tattoo, 406 Petaluma Blvd South, Petaluma. All are welcome. Learn more here.

 More Than Sad for Parents program teaches parents how to recognize signs of depression and other mental health problems, initiate a conversation about mental health with their child, and get help. This program focuses on parents and guardians of teen youth. This virtual meeting is hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Register here.

This virtual presentation is for physicians to gain new skills and knowledge in suicide prevention in the clinical setting. This event is hosted in partnership with the San Francisco-Marin Medical Society. Register here.

This virtual presentation will focus on the launch of the 3-digit 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Marin County's collective response to those in distress, and the Hope and Help campaign. Join us and learn more on ways to support those who are in distress in our community. You will also hear about the 988 Help and Hope Campaign!

Speakers from Marin County BHRS, Buckelew Programs, SAFE Team, and more.

Register here.

This in-person training is an opportunity to learn more about suicide prevention facts and ways to communicate with someone in distress and refer them to help. This training is designed for Vietnamese speaking community members. Location: The Boro Community Center, 50 Canal St, San Rafael. Register by contacting: Mr. Khoa 703-943-0053 or ktran@marinaap.org 

Join us for a morning bayside hike beginning at Blackie's Pasture (you can't miss the swaybacked horse statue standing in the field) off of Tiburon Blvd.

This hike is hosted by the Men & Boys Action Team of the Suicide Prevention Collaborative. This is an opportunity to get to know one another and learn more about resources to support your mental health, recovery and wellbeing.  For those who self-identify as male and are 13 y/o+.

Register here

Questions: kara.connors@marincounty.gov

 

This suicide prevention training will address the facts about suicide and strategies to strengthen your skills and knowledge in communicating with someone who may be struggling. This training will be provided by North Marin Community Services in Spanish. Register here.

This full day of suicide prevention workshops and featured speakers will provide attendees with current information related to suicide prevention, postvention, community advocacy, promising practices in medical settings, and feature voices of lived experience. The keynote Speaker is Kevin Hines, who is a Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Activist, Best-Selling Author, Multi-Award Winning Filmmaker & Subject Matter Expert. Hines will share his powerful story of surviving a suicide attempt and moving forward on a path of community advocacy and successful lobbying for a safety barrier on the Golden Gate Bridge.  There are other speakers, including Dr. Frank Campbell will describe the Active Postvention Model, known as the LOSS Team (Local Outreach to Survivors of Suicide).  CE's provided. Register here.

Older man with a comforting hand on his shoulder

Ask. Listen. Connect.

Suicide Can Be Prevented.

Know the Signs.

Most people in distress express warning signs through feelings, words or actions, including: feeling burdensome or trapped, experiencing chronic pain, changes in substance use, lacking reasons for living, talking about suicide, feeling rejected, having access to lethal means, etc. Any warning sign is a door opener for a conversation. Here are helpful tips to keep someone safe at home or in the workplace.

Ask directly.

  • “Sometimes people experience thoughts of suicide when they lose hope/are sad/withdrawn. Are you thinking of suicide?
  • Can we store your firearm/ammunition (or substances) until your feelings are resolved and you can stay safe?”

Listen.

  • “I’m sorry you’re in this much pain. I’m here to listen and support you.”
  • “I’m so glad you’re sharing this with me. It takes a lot of courage.”

Connect.

  • “I’ll sit with you. I want to make sure that you stay safe. Let’s call 988 (or therapist, parent, etc.) together for support."
  • “You can begin to feel better with support. I’ll stay with you while we find help.”

After you connect someone to help, follow up with them to foster belonging and recovery by a phone call, text, etc.

 

Means Safety for our Homes and Community

One of the most powerful steps we can take to save lives in Marin County is to create safe environments in our homes, workplaces, schools, and community. We have some strong examples that demonstrate the successful impact of lethal means safety, such as the Golden Gate Bridge safety net where there has been significant reduction in suicides.

Many suicide attempts take place during a short-term crisis, so it is important to determine a person’s access to lethal means during these periods of increased risk. 

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention,  most people in suicidal crisis who don't have easy access to a lethal suicide method will not simply find another way to kill themselves. Interrupting access and creating a barrier during a crisis period can save lives!  Start the conversation in your home today.

Community hands holding

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE

Here are a few easy steps you can take to prevent suicide and injury in our community:

  1. Safe Storage: If you own firearms, always store your firearms locked, unloaded, away from ammunition and inaccessible to children. Obtain a lock here. Lock up substances, or only keep on hand what you need.
  2. Voluntary relinquishment:  If you no longer want your firearm/s or you temporarily are concerned about having  firearms in your home,  contact local law enforcement to request temporary storage of your firearms or to voluntarily relinquish them. 
  3. Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVROs):  If someone you know is expressing thoughts of suicide or self-harm and you are concerned about their access to firearms, a Gun Violence Restraining Order may be available through law enforcement or the courts to temporarily remove and prevent the purchase of firearms.  
  4. Print this brochure, "Lethal Means Safety for Caregivers in Marin," and share with your friends to start a conversation!
  5. Learn more about means safety and keeping your loved ones safe at Strive for Safety.

Struggling? How to Obtain Help for Yourself

You can begin to feel better when you ask for help. If you are having a hard time asking for help, try to remember that most people want to help!  Useful phrases include:

  • "When you get a chance can you contact me? I feel really alone and suicidal, and could use some support."
  • "I don’t want to die, but I don't know how to live. Talking with you may help me feel safe. Are you free to talk?"
  • "This is really hard for me to say but I’m having painful thoughts and it might help to talk. Are you free?"

Contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or the BHRS Access Line 1-888-818-1115 if you are in distress.

Hope & Help

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  1. Got 5 minutes to share on social? Download and share our ready-to-use social media graphics with captions available in both English and Spanish. 
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Thank you for amplifying our message. If you’re unable to share our communications materials, remember you can always: Ask. Listen. Connect. Suicide is preventable.

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