Suicide Prevention: September 2024

In the Fall of 2020, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Gomez established the Mental Health Initiative. The Mental Health Initiative supports and expands mental health and wellness programs and services within Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) in Riverside County.

The Riverside County Board of Education and Riverside County Superintendent of Schools acknowledge that suicide is a leading cause of death among youth, and that school personnel who regularly interact with students are often in a position to recognize the warning signs of suicide and to offer appropriate referrals and/or assistance.

RCOE collaborates with community partners and connects LEAs to available resources and trainings to support suicide prevention throughout Riverside County.

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.

September is Suicide Prevention Month — a time to raise awareness and discuss this highly stigmatized topic. In addition to shifting public perception, we use this month to spread hope and vital information to people affected by suicide. The goal of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is ensuring that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help.

• If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 immediately. This is free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
• If you are uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.
• You can also text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained, crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.

Additional Resources:

• Know the Warning Signs and Risk Factors of Suicide
• Being Prepared for a Crisis
• "Navigating a Mental Health Crisis"
• What You Need to Know About Youth Suicide
• Access the infographic below here.

Need more information, referrals or support? Contact the NAMI HelpLine.

WEBINAR: Thursday, September 5 from 3:00 - 4:00 pm

Begin your 2024 - 2025 school year with supporting student mental health and improving school climate through student-led clubs. The CDE Project Cal-STOP partners with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) California to support NAMI On Campus High School Clubs through year-round trainings, quarterly office-hour, and $500 mini-grants at participating high schools.

Hear from the club advisors to see how these student-led clubs improve school climate and promote student wellness at their school. Sample activities, successes and challenges, and lessons learned will be shared.

Learn more HERE.

This September we can make a big difference for our community simply by recognizing when someone is lonely and reaching out to them. Simple acts of kindness or a conversation can be the turning point for someone who’s feeling alone. During Suicide Prevention month let’s focus on spreading “Love Over Loneliness.” By building strong connections and supporting each other, we can make others feel valued and cared for.

Research shows that people of all ages benefit from participating in activities that strengthen their selfcare and wellness. These activities may look different across the lifespan as we grow and evolve. Building resiliency is important at all ages, and strategies can be tailored depending on what is enjoyable or accessible at your age.

Now, more than ever, it’s vital that we recognize the importance of strengthening resiliency, protective factors, and physical and emotional wellness throughout the lifespan and at different life stages. Focusing on ways that we can improve our personal well-being can help reduce stress, improve our relationships, and reduce suicide risk.

There are many options for promoting Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, many of which can be done from home or online. We have provided suggestions for how to plan your September activities week-by-week, or you can choose your favorites.

We invite you to share knowledge and resources around suicide prevention with your social network this month and all year long. Remember, all of us can play a role in suicide prevention.

Together, we can help prevent suicide in Riverside County with the power of love and connection!

Check out the activities below, which come from these guides:

• English
• Spanish

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), many factors can reduce risk for suicide. Similar to risk factors, a range of factors at the individual, relationship, community, and societal levels can protect people from suicide. Everyone can help prevent suicide. We can take action in communities and as a society to support people and help protect them from suicidal thoughts and behavior.

Read more from the CDC about protective factors HERE.

We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

https://988lifeline.org/

In partnership with the Riverside University Health System (RUHS), RCOE has provided resources to Riverside County school districts on the history behind the bill that enacted the suicide and crisis lifeline, as well as what kinds of support are available.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people between 10 to 24. Sometimes it feels as though your struggle is being underestimated because of your age. But we hear you, and help is available. https://988lifeline.org/help-yourself/youth/

Mission Statement: To educate young people about critical health topics through the medium of film and promote social justice by changing conversations in schools and communities.

Directing Change is part of Take Action for Mental Health, California’s Mental Health Movement and statewide efforts to prevent suicide, reduce stigma and discrimination related to mental illness, and to promote the mental health and wellness of youth and young adults.

The Directing Change Program holds film and art contests for young people to learn about the topics of suicide prevention, mental health, social justice and more. By creating short films, written works, and art projects youth can communicate positive messages to peers and adults in their community to inspire them to take action.

• Annual Film Contest (entries are due March 1 every year). Multiple submission categories for 30-second and 60-second films focused on mental health and suicide prevention topics. Win up to $1000 in cash prizes and be recognized at a statewide red carpet award ceremony! Learn more here.

• Monthly Hope and Justice Art and Film Contest (entries accepted on a monthly basis and are due the last day of the month at midnight). Art, written works, films and original music accepted! You can submit to the Hope and Justice theme every month, or to the monthly prompt that changes each month. Win up to $300 in Amazon gift cards! Learn more here.

RCOE partners annually with Riverside University Health System (RUHS) to put on the Directing Change Screening and Recognition Ceremony for Riverside County, which took place on May 16, 2024.

During the 2023 - 2024 school year, a total of 580 young people from 26 schools or community-based organizations in Riverside County submitted 203 films about mental health and suicide prevention. Many of those students were honored at the ceremony on May 16, 2024, including the winning films and special musical performance below.

Because of their participation in the program, these students are now prepared to recognize and respond to signs of mental health difficulties in themselves and their peers.

Read more about RCOE's participation with Directing Change HERE.

There are countless ways you can help Talk Away the Dark by initiating open conversations about mental health; speaking up and making sure more people know what research reveals about how we can help prevent suicide; lighting the way for those in distress to feel comfortable asking for help; and knowing what to say to support survivors of suicide loss and provide them the care they need. Learn more here.

As part of our work with the Riverside County Suicide Prevention Coalition (SPC), RCOE is partnering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to participate in their Out of Darkness Walk. According to the AFSP, "The Out of the Darkness Community Walk is a journey of remembrance, hope, and support. It unites our communities and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we love and care about."

There are two options for Riverside County:

• Riverside Walk on September 28, 2024 at Riverside's Fairmount Park
• Coachella Valley Walk on October 19, 2024 at the Palm Desert Civic Center Park

We invite you to join the SPC team by visiting the AFSP Website. For Team Membership, select “RivCo. Suicide Prevention Coalition." Everyone who joins the Suicide Prevention Coalition’s team AND attends the walk will receive a free shirt.

We also encourage you to invite your family, friends, colleagues, and other Riverside County residents to attend.

The California Department of Public Health launched “Never a Bother,” a new youth suicide prevention campaign to increase awareness, support, and resources among California’s youth. More than 400 young Californians, including a youth advisory board, shared their thoughts, feelings, and perspectives to help guide the campaign’s direction.​

Whether it's a low point, a crisis, or something you can't exactly put into words, get help for yourself or a friend.

The It’s Up to Us campaign is designed to empower residents of Riverside County to talk openly about mental illness, recognize symptoms, utilize local resources and seek help. By raising awareness and providing access to local resources, we aim to inspire wellness, reduce stigma and prevent death by suicide. Recovery is possible and help is available. It’s Up to Us to make a difference in the lives of those experiencing mental health challenges by offering support and providing opportunities.

• CARES Line (800) 499-3008
• If you need someone to talk to, are concerned about someone, need help finding a local resource, or assistance navigating treatment options contact the CARES Line 24/7 for free and confidential local help. Assistance available in English and Spanish.

The Mental Health Back to School Toolkit is designed to assist teachers, school staff, community groups, and others who work with youth and young adults to open a conversation about mental health and wellness. Due to COVID, the world as we know has shifted, and it’s important that educators and community leaders are able to speak openly about mental health with students of all ages. The resources provided on this page will allow for educators to have these conversations with students in an online format in order to ensure physical distancing.

Click HERE or on the image below to access to toolkit. ⏬

The Inland SoCal Crisis Helpline is the regional 24/7 crisis and suicide hotline for Inland Southern California. It is free and confidential and you may remain anonymous. Trained counselors are available to provide support and resources to best help you. Bilingual counselors are available.

The Inland SoCal Crisis Helpline was founded in 1968 and is a project of Inland SoCal 211+ and Inland SoCal United Way making it one of the longest running suicide hotlines in the state of California.

The line is answered by staff, volunteers and interns who serve as crisis counselors after a 50 hour evidence-based training.

Behavioral health coaching for parents, caregivers, and kids 0–12. No costs attached. No insurance required. No referrals needed.

Confidential support for 13- to 25-year-olds in California. No cost. No pressure. Chat 1:1 with a professional coach, use interactive tools to destress, or explore quizzes, videos, forums, and more. You choose!

The Trevor Project’s mission is to end suicide among LGBTQ+ young people. On their website, you can reach out to a counselor, find answers and information, and get the tools needed to help someone else.

The intent of RUHS Behavioral Health Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) program is to move to a “help first” system in order to engage individuals before the development of serious mental illness or serious emotional disturbance or to alleviate the need for additional or extended mental health treatment by facilitating access to services and supports at the earliest signs of mental health struggles. Potential multiple negative outcomes can be dramatically reduced for all age groups.

Check out the latest PEI newsletter HERE and trainings HERE.

The Riverside County Suicide Prevention Coalition (SPC), organized by members of RUHS Behavioral Health and Public Health, is made up of eight sub-committees. Each sub-committee has their own unique set of goals and objectives that work toward advancing the goals of the strategic plan, and our mission in Riverside County to eliminate suicide.

The SPC offers a variety of trainings, including:

• Mental Health 101
• Building Resiliency and Understanding Trauma
  
• Self Care and Wellness
  
• Know the Signs
• Youth Mental Health First Aid
  
• Adult Mental Health First Aid
  
• ASIST
• safeTALK
  
• Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR)

Know the Signs is part of the Take Action for Mental Health Campaign. The campaign aims to achieve the following goals:

• Prepare more Californians to prevent suicide by increasing knowledge of warning signs, how to offer help and local resources.
• Provide individuals who are going through tough times with resources, hope and reassurance that help is available.
• Work with the news media to increase news reporting about suicide in ways that are consistent with national recommendations.

Safe Spaces is a free, online training designed to help early care providers, TK-12 educators and other school personnel recognize and respond to trauma and stress in children.

Anyone who works with children is invited to take the free, online professional learning. This includes early care providers, educators and school personnel, including school nurses, librarians, administrative support, school bus drivers and yard duty support. Each module is about two hours and is filled with case examples, videos, strategies and practices.

To attempt to reduce suicidal behavior and its impact on students and families, RCOE has developed measures and strategies for suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention-- as outlined in the following policies:

• Board Policy 5141.52 - Suicide Prevention
• RCOE Alternative Education Youth Suicide Prevention Policy

Assembly Bill 2246, which was approved September 2016, requires “…the governing board… that serves pupils in grades 7 to 12… adopt a policy on pupil suicide prevention… that specifically addresses the needs of high-risk groups,” which include:

• Youth bereaved by suicide
• Youth with disabilities, mental illness, substance use disorders
• Youth experiencing homelessness or in out-of-home settings
• LGTBQ youth

To help Local Education Agencies (LEAs) develop their own policies, the California Department of Education (CDE) collaborated with mental health professionals--including the Student Mental Health Policy Workgroup--to create a Model Policy.

AB 2639 (September 2018) updates the language of AB 2246 to ensure that Local Education Agencies (LEAs) review their suicide prevention policies “at a minimum every fifth year."

• Striving for Zero: California’s Strategic Plan for Suicide Prevention
• RCOE Mental Health Month Newsletter, May 2024
• Edutopia reports tips for how to create meaningful suicide prevention programing.

Prevention

• Suicide Prevention Resource Center
• Signs of Suicide (SOS) curriculum
• Research-based
• Middle and high school versions

Screening & Safety Plan Creation

• Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) & training options
• Riverside County Suicide Prevention and Risk Evaluation (SPARE)
• For more information, please email PEI@ruhealth.org or call (951) 955-3448.
• Stanley-Brown safety plan template

Postvention

• After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools
• Safe reporting guidelines for Media

RCOE PBIS Coordinator

Division of Leadership, Wellness, and Student Services

School Engagement and Wellness Unit

Email: dgranger@rcoe.us

Website: https://www.rcoe.us/departments/leadership-wellness-and-student-services/school-engagement-and-wellness/suicide-prevention-and-intervention

Phone: 951-826-6430