Sonoma County Maternal Child and Adolescent Health

Join Sonoma County's Suicide Prevention and Awareness Efforts!

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors adopted a Gold Resolution proclaiming the month of September 2022 as Suicide Prevention Month in Sonoma County.

Suicide rates per 100,000 population 5 years and older

3-year moving averages

Sonoma County residents, 2012-2014 to 2019-2021

Data source: CDPH CCDF, 2012-2021; CalVIDA https://cal-vida.cdph.ca.gov

Click on the image above for a PDF

The overall suicide death rate increased significantly in Sonoma County between 2012-2014 and 2019-2021.

The Sonoma County suicide death rate is significantly greater than the California rate.

Click on the image above for a PDF

The increase in suicide death rate among white non-Hispanic residents was statistically significant.

In 2020 the number of suicide deaths among Latinx jumped to 13, almost double that seen in previous years.

Check out the following resources and learning opportunities provided by Sonoma County Behavioral Health:

Sept. 6, 3:00-4:30pm Buckelew's Virtual Community Resource Clinic	Help understanding and assistance accessing local resources.	Zoom Group call 707-494-0762 or email Nicolen@buckelew.org
Sept. 14, 8:00am-5:00pm Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk	Free workshop for behavioral and health professionals. CEs included.	In person only Click here for the flyer and registration.
Sept. 14 &28 7:00-8:30pm SOS Allies For Hope	Peer to peer bereavement support group.	Zoom Group call 415-492-0614 or email SOSinfo@buckelew.org
Sept. 21, 12:30-2:30pm Be Sensitive, Be Brave for Suicide Prevention	Suicide prevention webinar.	Virtual webinar Click here for registration information.
Sept. 29, 4:00-6:30pm Film Screening	'The S Word'	Free in-person and virtual Click here for the flyer.

The Most Dangerous Word Is...

SILENCE

Suicide is the 10th Leading Cause of Death in the United States

The Goals of the Documentary 'The S Word':

Raise awareness about suicide prevention and resources, including alternatives that reach outside the box.
Expand the conversation about suicide to include everybody, because we have all been touched by it in some way.
Talk openly about suicide without judgement, shame or discrimination.
Get people to think about suicide in a completely different way - highlighting the complexity, pain and even humor of our survivors.
Change the world. (Okay we know one film can't change the world but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try.)

The S Word

Walk with Sonoma County

Out of the Darkness

Help create a culture that's smarter about mental health. Friends, family members, neighbors and co-workers walk side-by-side, supporting each other and in memory of those we've lost.

Learning Opportunity:

This course will be offered by Interactive Broadcast in September, October and November. There is also a recording option. Click the image above for more information.

Institute for Brain Potential Training:

Preventing Suicide

This course offers Continuing Education for nurses, social workers and educators.

Why has suicide become the 10th leading cause of death?
Who is at risk of suicide among people we know, love, or care for?
What are the best practices for assessing risk and preventing suicide?

Identify clinical features of adults at highest risk for suicide.
Discuss special populations at high risk of suicide.
Describe methods to identify and assess suicide risk.
Identify best practices for preventing self-harm and suicide.

Sonoma County Maternal Child and Adolescent Health | Website