DPSS News Sept Oct 2020

THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ACTS TO BUILD RESILIENCY, PREVENT SUICIDE

65%-75% Caucasians represent of suicide deaths

50% Adults aged 26-59 account for over of suicide deaths

66% Males accounted for over of suicide deaths

25% Youth aged 15-19 accounted for

Youth aged 15-19 accounted for

59% Males accounted for over

17% of suicide attempts

of suicide attempts

of suicide attempts

T he Board of Supervisors announced in September unanimous support for measures to prevent suicide in Riverside County – an issue that’s deeply personal for Supervisor Chuck Washington. “My own mother committed suicide when I was 8 years old,” Washington said during the board’s Sept. 1 meeting. The Third District supervisor also said he has lost relatives to suicide and a co-worker when he was a pilot for Delta Airlines. “I was shocked that I was not able to discern that this man I was flying with was contemplating suicide,” Washington said. “Often times, when an individual arrives at that place in their life when they see no other option, they become at peace with that decision and their outward appearance doesn’t suggest they’re crying out for help.” Suicides in Riverside County increased by 30 percent over the last ten years, with adults between the ages of 25 and 69 representing half of all deaths. Nearly 4,400 calls were made to the county’s prevention line in the last fiscal year by people in immediate danger of dying by suicide. The story serves as a lesson to be more in tune with people who are struggling, Washington said. “We can help. We can prevent suicide, but we have to become more aware before a person reaches that final phase where they’ve decided that’s the way to go.” The Board also adopted a countywide plan “Building Hope and Resiliency” to coincide with California’s five-year suicide prevention strategy. The county’s plan can be found online here. It includes training to spot warning signs and ways to reach out to those who are struggling. Anyone in need of help can call Riverside County’s confidential 24-hour Suicide Prevention Crisis Line at 951-686-HELP.

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RIVERSIDE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES