Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 09/18/2008 04:58 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 09/18/2008 05:05 PM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
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New Suicide Prevention Advisory Committee for Calaveras County
Calaveras County, CA....Thanks to funding from the Mental Health Services Act (Prop 63), the State Department of Mental Health will be implementing several Prevention and Early Intervention initiatives including Suicide Prevention. In collaboration with these efforts, Calaveras County Behavioral Health Services is forming a new Suicide Prevention Advisory Committee to build partnerships to address our local needs and to develop interim strategies. Anyone affected by suicide is encouraged to join and help prevent this tragedy in our community......
According to the State’s Strategic Plan on Suicide Prevention, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in California, resulting in approximately 3,300 people losing their lives each year. On average, nine Californians die by suicide every day—among all age groups and across all socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.
Rural areas have the highest rates of suicide in the US, particularly among older adult males and youth. Calaveras is not exempt as recent tragedies have reminded the community. In 2007, Calaveras had nine suicides. Eight of the nine were male and eight were by gunshot—both of which are consistent with State statistics for rural communities.
Suicide is preventable. As a community, Calaveras County can do much to help. If you are a survivor, have lost someone, or would like to contribute to the prevention of this leading cause of death, please consider joining the new Suicide Prevention Advisory Committee.
For questions regarding the Mental Health Services Act or to join the new Suicide Prevention Advisory Committee, please contact Christa Thompson at 209-754-2810 or at cthompson@co.calaveras.ca.us. If you or someone you know may be at risk of suicide, call the Behavioral Health Services Crisis Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 209-754-3239 or toll-free at 800-499-3030.
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