Five Ways You Can Take Action During Suicide Prevention Month
Northern California is well known for its outdoor spaces. There are many scenic areas people can visit to relax and enjoy nature. It also caters to a wide variety of recreational activities like hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking. What’s less known is the impact suicide has on many Northern California communities – and how we can work together to change this.
In Shasta County, an average of 49 residents died by suicide each year from 2021 to 2023 – that rate is more than twice as many suicide deaths as the statewide average. The county’s age-adjusted rate is 25.2 suicides per 100,000 people, compared to 10.3 suicides per 100,000 people statewide.
While suicide rates are high, there are many things we can do to protect our loved ones and communities from suicide. Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, recognized every September, is a great time to share help and hope with others.
You can take action and help prevent suicide:
- Learn about suicide warning signs at SuicideisPreventable.org.
- Join a free suicide prevention training – visit YouMatterShasta.org/training/ for details.
- Promote the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
- Share resources with friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, youth, and other community members. Find resources at YouMatterShasta.org/resources/for-everyone/.
- Encourage people to get help when they need it and offer support. Get conversation starter tips from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: TalkAwayTheDark.afsp.org/startaconversation/
In Shasta County, men can make an impact in suicide prevention through the Captain Awesome campaign. As shared in the previous Active NorCal article about Captain Awesome, the campaign features local men who share tips, tools and advice to help fellow men tune up their mental wellbeing. Men in Captain Awesome help to normalize mental health challenges and encourage others to get support before a crisis occurs. Learn more at Captain-Awesome.org. Call You Matter Shasta at 530-229-8426 to get involved.
If you’re in Shasta County on September 10, you can join You Matter Shasta’s Light of Hope event and watch the Sundial Bridge light up in blue and purple colors in honor of World Suicide Prevention Day. Learn more at YouMatterShasta.org/events/
Suicide prevention is everyone’s business! Together, we can create communities that are safe from suicide.
If you or someone you know needs immediate mental health support, or is experiencing a suicide crisis, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The 988 Lifeline provides free, confidential support 24/7, 365 days a year.
Funding for Captain Awesome and You Matter Shasta Suicide Prevention Program activities are provided through the Mental Health Services Act.
