September is Suicide Prevention Month (SPM)
September is Suicide Prevention Month (SPM), which includes National Suicide Prevention Week (September 8-14) and World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10). SPM aims to empower everyone in the community to prevent suicide.
Each year, the San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Office of Diversity & Equity and Suicide Prevention Committee publishes a Calendar of Events which promotes the SPM events broadly across local providers, partners and community in San Mateo County. This year’s theme for 2024 Suicide Prevention Month is Love Over Loneliness. Our Board of Supervisors passed a resolution in January declaring loneliness a public health crisis and pledging to promote social connection in our communities. According to the 2023 San Mateo County Health and Quality of Life Survey, 45% of residents in San Mateo County residents were experiencing difficulty with loneliness and isolation.
Now more than ever it is important that we find ways to connect with one another. Know the signs, find the words, and reach out. To increase our efforts, the StarVista Crisis Center would LOVE to invite you to share in raising awareness, reducing stigma, and increasing hope with the following events and initiatives this month:
EVENTS AND CAMPAIGNS
- 988 Day
Date: 9/8
Time: N/A
Location: Digital Campaign
988 Day is a national initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and emphasizing the importance of mental health and suicide prevention. Join us on September 8, 2024, in sharing the theme “No Judgment. Just Help.” and check this page often for materials, tools, and ideas to support your own promotional efforts and activities on 988 Day.
How you can participate: Use the digital toolkit which includes digital and print materials made for 988 Day. On September 8, 2024, use the hashtag #988Day to share your activities and how you’re promoting awareness of 988. Then check out our social event wall to see everyone’s activities in one place.
Learn more and access the toolkit here: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988/newsroom/988-day
- StarVista 988 Scavenger Hunt (All Month Long)
Date: 9/1 – 9/30
Time: N/A
Location: Digital Campaign
This event aims to raise awareness about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and to promote the vital support that 988 can deliver, all while fostering community involvement and excitement! We will embark on a “scavenger hunt” to look for and take pictures of 988 signage throughout San Mateo County.
How you can participate:
- Follow @sanmateocrisis and @starvistasmc
- Look around the community for 988 signs
- Tag both accounts in #1 and use the hashtag: #988smc
- Yoga Meditation with Susana
Date: 9/3, 9/7, 9/13, & 9/27
Time: Varies
Location: Varies
Contact: contact@yogawithsusana.com
“Join yoga therapist Susana Laborde-Blaj for an inward journey into the Power of Your Presence. You will be guided through short meditations (sitting, standing and lying down) and gentle mindful movements (yoga asanas) with special attention to breath, focusing on the theme of Gratitude. Moving into a mental state where you can count your blessings, you will enjoy 60 minutes of calm and quiet, learning accessible yoga techniques you can practice at home later.
Please bring comfortable clothing, a yoga mat, a notebook and pen for brief journaling, and a beach towel or yoga blanket.”
- Communal Candle Decorating Workshop
Date: 9/10
Time: 4pm – 6pm
Location: Belmont Library, 1110 Alameda de las Pulgas, Belmont, CA 94002
Population: Youth
“September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. Join us as we decorate candles to show support for suicide prevention and to remember a lost loved one. In addition, youth-centered local organizations will be tabling with information and giveaways, and snacks will be provided. This year’s theme for 2024 Suicide Prevention Month is ‘Love Over Loneliness.’ On World Suicide Prevention Day, everyone is encouraged to show their support for suicide prevention by lighting a candle near a window at 8 PM to remember and honor a lost loved one.”
- Open Book, Open Hearts: Discussion on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Date: 9/13
Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Location: San Mateo Main Library (55 E 3rd Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401
Population: Youth
Register: https://bit.ly/4fQnouS
Contact: kassandra.chavez@star-vista.org
“In honor of suicide prevention month, StarVista programs, HAP-Y and Crisis Line, have partnered up to provide a workshop for youth. The workshop will provide insight on the importance of self-care for mental health, an overview of warning signs for suicide prevention, and share community resources. To conclude the evening, youth will be able to de-stress and connect with their peers by participating in a variety of self-care activities.”
- One at a Time: A Workshop on Mental Health & Suicide Prevention.
Date: 9/14 & 9/15
Time:
(9/14) 12:00pm – 3:00pm
(9/15) 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Location:
9/14 – Foster City Library, 1000 E Hillsdale Blvd, Foster City, CA 94404
9/15 – San Carlos Library, 610 Elm St., San Carlos, CA 94070
Population: Youth and Adults
“The goal of the workshop is to educate and raise awareness about mental health and suicidality by shifting the focus to prevention strategies and outlining steps that can be taken prior to crisis, including active listening, expressing care and concern, and connecting them with professional help. You can provide anyone with a comprehensive understanding to help prevent suicide and support those who are encountering a mental health crisis.”
- Suicide Prevention Awareness for Seniors
Date: 9/17
Time: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Location: Twin Pines Park Senior/Community Center, 20 Twin Pines Ln, Belmont, CA 94002 Population: Older Adults & Seniors
Contact: bell@smcl.org
“Join us during National Suicide Prevention month as we provide seniors with essential information and resources, to address mental health challenges and reduce the risk of suicide. Through an informative presentation, and tabling by community partners, participants will learn what the risk factors are and the warning signs of suicide, how to utilize effective coping strategies, build resilience, and where local community resources are located.
- Seeing Through Stigma: Suicide Awareness
Date: 9/18
Time: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Location: 1633 Old Bayshore Hwy Ste 160, Burlingame, CA 94010
“Awareness focused Seeing Through Stigma panel with a presentation about Alternatives to Suicide and other resources in San Mateo County.”
- Community Care Package Workshop and Social
Date: 9/18
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: San Mateo County Pride Center – 1021 S El Camino Real San Mateo CA 94402
Register: https://tinyurl.com/communitycarepackage
“Join us for an uplifting evening of creativity, self-care, and connection as we celebrate the strength and resilience of our LGBTQIA+ community during Suicide Prevention Month. In this hands-on workshop and social, you’ll create your own personalized self-care package while connecting with others in a supportive, affirming environment. Together, we will craft items that promote mental wellness and share local resources, reminding us that through community, we are never alone.”
- You Matter: Youth Suicide Prevention Day
Date: 9/26
Time: 4:00pm-6:30pm
Location: allcove San Mateo 2600 S. El Camino Real Suite 300, San Mateo, CA 94403
Population: 12-25 years old
“Discover the power of connection at our youth suicide prevention event! Enjoy an engaging workshop, DIY self-care activities, fun games, and a debrief session. Join us in creating a caring community where everyone feels valued and heard.”
DID YOU KNOW?
- The StarVista Crisis Center responded to 13,000+ incoming contacts during FY23-24
- Our average speed to answer in FY23-24 is 14 seconds
- Our crisis hotline was founded in 1966 by suicide prevention pioneer, Charlotte Ross. It was the third crisis line founded in the state of California, with the goal of providing emergency assistance to people who were experiencing a mental health crisis.
- In FY23-24, StarVista’s Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Hotline was answered 24/7 by a team of 18 phone counselors.
- A recent survey showed 81% of Crisis Center hotline staff and volunteers work other careers outside of their roles on the hotline such as professors, community advocates, therapists, social workers, chiropractors, teachers, IT/tech, engineers, and more!
- The StarVista Crisis Center’s goal is to collaborate with and empower those in crisis. We believe it is key to pursue all least invasive options to ensure the greatest amount of safety whenever possible. Because of this, fewer than 1 percent of all StarVista Crisis Hotline calls require a connection to emergency services like 911.
- In a 2023-2024, 93% of Crisis Center staff surveyed self-identified as having lived experience with suicide, suicidality, and/or suicide loss.
- Crisis work cannot be done in isolation! StarVista Crisis Center is proud to be one of 12 accredited crisis centers in California participating within the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 988 California: Crisis Center Consortium (988 CA) is a network of these 12 organizations and agencies dedicated to managing the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline across California. By coordinating resources and services, the Consortium ensures that help is available to Californians when it’s needed most. To learn more about 988 CA, please visit 988 CA’s new website at https://www.988california.org/
MYTHS AND FACTS
- MYTH: Talking about suicide or asking someone if they feel suicidal will encourage suicide attempts
- FACT: Asking about suicidal thoughts will not increase suicidality. Instead, talking about suicide provides the opportunity for communication and support and gives others the space to openly express how they are feeling. When asking about suicide, it is best to do so in a non-judgmental and neutral way such as “are you thinking about suicide?”
- MYTH: Most suicides happen suddenly without warning.
- FACT: Most suicides are preceded by warning signs, either through what people say or how they act. It’s crucial to know and understand these signs. Often, individuals who are considering suicide may only show this distress to those who are closest to them. If loved ones don’t recognize the signs, it might seem like the suicide happened suddenly or without any indication. To learn more about risk factors, warning signs, and buffers please visit https://afsp.org/risk-factors-protective-factors-and-warning-signs/
- MYTH: Actions to reduce access to lethal methods of suicide aren’t effective.
- FACT: Limiting access to lethal means is one of the simplest strategies to decrease the chances of suicide. Increasing the time and distance between a person in suicidal crisis and their access to lethal means can reduce suicide risk and save lives. To learn more about means restriction you can read more at: https://sprc.org/effective-prevention/a-comprehensive-approach-to-suicide-prevention/reduce-access-to-means-of-suicide/
- MYTH: The #988Lifeline is only for those in immediate danger.
- FACT: 988 is for anyone who needs support—whether you’re feeling depressed, need someone to talk to, or know someone who’s struggling. Trained counselors are available to listen and support you. You don’t have to go through it alone. Call or text 988.
RESOURCES
24/7 Crisis Hotline 650-579-0350
Call, Text, Chat 988 or https://988lifeline.org/
Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio 1-888-628-9454
Click here for resources for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have hearing loss.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, trained crisis counselors are here waiting to support you. San Mateo County residents can call the StarVista’s Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Hotline at (650) 579-0350, which offers a free, safe, and confidential place to explore feelings, vent frustrations, and receive support. Trained counselors treat callers with empathy and compassion while providing crisis intervention, risk assessments, safety planning, and referrals when applicable.
We can support someone:
Who wants to talk about their situation or feel heard.
Who is feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, distressed, or is in crisis.
Who is concerned about the mental health of someone they care about.
Who is interested in exploring mental health resources and services.
In addition to the 24/7 crisis hotline, StarVista’s Crisis Center facilitates suicide prevention-focused presentations, suicide assessment and intervention trainings, and offers postvention clinical support, a type of intervention to provide emotional support and activities that promote healing and suicide risk reduction, following crises within the San Mateo County community. Our team provides life-changing support and services with passion, dedication, and a deep sense of caring and concern for the welfare of every person we serve. To learn more about how we can support you, please visit sanmateocrisis.org.
Find additional resources in San Mateo County and learn more about Suicide Prevention Month here.
Watch StarVista’s Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention leadership team discuss 5 common myths about calling the crisis line, and what callers can expect when they utilize this service.