National Suicide Prevention Month

September 2022

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This past fiscal year…

StarVista’s Crisis Center’s  24/7 Crisis Hotline staff answered over 13,000 phone calls.

These phone calls lasted for an average of 12 minutes each and 100% of the callers were offered immediate counseling and referrals to other services.

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24/7 Crisis Hotline (All Ages): 650-579-0350

For people who are feeling depressed, suicidal – or who just want to talk to someone about problems they’re facing – StarVista’s 24/7 hotline 650-579-0350 offers a safe and anonymous place for people to explore feelings, concerns, vent frustrations, clarify problems and get referrals.

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To learn more about Suicide Prevention, read our past blogs from StarVista’s Crisis Center staff:

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“Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. In fact, suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues.” Source 

 

“Throughout the month of September, NAMI will highlight the “Together for Mental Health,” campaign which encourages people to bring their voices together to advocate for better mental health care, including an effective crisis response system. After years of advocacy and preparation, 988 is now available nationwide as the new number to contact for mental health, substance use and suicide crises — a simple, easy-to-remember way for people to get help. This new number will allow people to quickly connect with support during a crisis, 24/7, no matter where they live.” Source

 

About National Suicide Prevention Month: 

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. All month, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness. 

 

National Suicide Prevention Week is the Monday through Sunday surrounding World Suicide Prevention Day. It’s a time to share resources and stories, as well as promote suicide prevention awareness. 

 

World Suicide Prevention Day is September 10. It’s a time to remember those affected by suicide, to raise awareness, and to focus efforts on directing treatment to those who need it most. 

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StarVista Crisis Resources 

The Crisis Center provides suicide intervention services and programs for San Mateo County residents, including a 24-hour crisis hotline, mobile youth crisis response team, online and text teen crisis support, and educational presentations to the community and schools.

There are two ways to contact the StarVista Crisis Center in a mental health crisis:
1. Call StarVista’s 24/7 Crisis Hotline 650-579-0350
2. Starting July 16, Call 988*

*It is important to note that 988 calls are redirected based on area code and not by their geolocation. Most 988 calls with the 650-area code will be forwarded to the StarVista Crisis Center.

StarVista’s 24/7 Crisis Hotline 650-579-0350 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for crisis intervention. Trained crisis workers treat callers with empathy and compassion and provide referrals for community resources and services. If you are a San Mateo County resident without a 650-area code and would like to access the StarVista Crisis Center, please call our local line at 650-579-0350.

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Crisis Center Website

The StarVista Crisis Center provides suicide intervention services and programs for San Mateo County residents, including a 24-hour crisis hotline, mobile youth crisis response team, online and text teen crisis support, and educational presentations to the community and schools.  

StarVista’s Crisis Center’s website www.sanmateocrisis.org provides a dedicated space to share program services, updates, resources, and more. The website provides information on mental health and local community resources 24 hours a day.

 

Teen Crisis Services

StarVista’s Teen Crisis Services consist of an online teen chat and teen text line, which are free, peer-to-peer services that are accessible from www.sanmatecrisis.org or by texting 650-747-6463. Teens can chat confidentially with trained youth peer counselors under Crisis Center staff supervision about various topics. 

 

Clinical Services

Schools may request additional assistance with suicidal assessments or crisis intervention by calling the crisis hotline at 650-579-0350. Interventions are available for free of cost to schools in San Mateo County. We also provide short-term therapy services during or after a crisis occurs. In addition, we give assistance for assessing immediate suicidal crisis.

The StarVista Crisis Center is accredited by the American Association of Suicidology and belongs to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline national network of crisis centers.

 

Training and Volunteer Opportunities with StarVista

Health Ambassador for Youth Program

StarVista’s HAP-Y program seeks to train youth ages 16-24 to become Health Ambassadors. The training covers common challenges in mental wellness, signs and risks of suicide, suicide prevention, and how to access mental health services. Trained Health Ambassadors become community agents who help raise awareness and help increase access to behavioral health services through information sharing and/or providing referrals when appropriate.

Crisis Center Volunteers

The StarVista Crisis Center relies on our passionate and dedicated volunteers to help deliver crisis services like the 24/7 hotline, the teen chat, and the teen text line. Volunteers are required to attend over 50 hours of training in crisis prevention, suicide assessment, mental health, and other related topics.

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Discover Additional Resources:

https://sanmateocrisis.org/resource-directory

 

Check Out SMC Events:

https://www.smchealth.org/suicide-prevention-month

https://www.smchealth.org/suicide-prevention

 

Check out StarVista’s National Suicide Prevention Month 2022 Social Media Toolkit!

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Crisis Center Events: