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Suicide Prevention
in Tuolumne County
The Tuolumne County Suicide Prevention Task Force is committed to making our community suicide-safer. Data collected in 2013 shows our county as having the 4th highest ratio of completed suicides in all California counties. We know that these numbers represent our neighbors, friends and family who have left us and we feel their loss. We want to do all that we can to help people who are having thoughts of suicide move through the crisis of hope they are experiencing to embrace life and to keep safe from suicide.
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Since November 2012, the YES Partnership/ATCAA has had the privilege of being the coordinating agency for the Suicide Prevention Services awarded by Tuolumne County Behavioral Health with funds from the MHSA/Prop 60. The following represents some of the efforts being made to make Tuolumne County a suicide-safer community.
Suicide Prevention Resources -
National Lifeline 24/7 call 1-800-273-8255 or visit http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Press 1 for Veterans Suicide Prevention Crisis Line
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Tuolumne County Behavioral Health (209) 533-7000
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Crisis Assessment and Intervention Program (CAIP) 1 (800) 273-8255
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Friendship Line 24 hour Crisis Line for Seniors (55+) 1-800-971-0016
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California Youth Crisis Line 1-800-843-5200
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24-Hour Parent Support Line 1-888-281-3000
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Crisis Chat Via Text Text HOPE to 916-688-iCAN
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With MY3, you define your network and your plan to stay safe. With MY3 you can be prepared to help yourself and reach out to others when you are having thoughts of suicide. www.my3app.org
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COMMUNITY TRAININGS
Talking about suicide can be very difficult. The trainings that are available can help us identify the invitations that people give out who are having thoughts of suicide. We learn to ask directly, listen and help the person keep safe from suicidal behavior by referring them to available resources and intervention caregivers. There is a lot of stigma associated with talking about suicide, but the following trainings help to make that conversation easier. The trainings are developed by Living Works Education (http://www.livingworks.net).
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esuicideTALK https://www.livingworks.net/programs/esuicidetalk/
esuicideTALK invites users to explore attitudes and beliefs about suicide centered around the question, “should we talk about suicide?”
The course is delivered online and features virtual learning in a setting that allows the user to safely explore some of the challenging issues about suicide from their computer monitor. This format is perfect for businesses or large organizations that want to raise awareness of suicide among their employees or members. It is also a great way for youth (age 15 and up) to receive training in a convenient, on-line environment. This is a 50-minute training and provides a certificate of completion. Please contact the above number/email for a free access code.
esuicide_flyer older
esuicide_flyer youth
safeTALK https://www.livingworks.net/programs/safetalk/
safeTALK, about three hours in duration, is a training that prepares anyone over the age of 15 to identify persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first aid resources. Most people with thoughts of suicide invite help to stay safe. Alert helpers know how to use these opportunities to support that desire for safety. Since August 2013 over 230 Tuolumne County community members have taken the safeTALK training. As a safeTALK-trained suicide alert helper, you will be better able to:
move beyond common tendencies to miss, dismiss or avoid suicide;
identify people who have thoughts of suicide;
apply the TALK steps (Tell, Ask, Listen and KeepSafe) to connect a person with suicide thoughts to suicide first aid, intervention caregivers.
Safe Talk and Asist Information
ASIST 11 https://www.livingworks.net/programs/asist/
The ASIST workshop is for caregivers who want to feel more comfortable, confident and competent in helping to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. Over one million caregivers have participated in this two-day, highly interactive, practical, practice-oriented workshop. ASIST 11 uses the Pathway for Assisting Life framework. Over 120 Tuolumne County community members have taken the ASIST 11 training.
Sometimes, first aid isn’t a bandage, or CPR, or the Heimlich, or calling 911. – Sometimes, first aid is YOU!
Someone you know could be experiencing a mental illness or crisis. You can help them. You are more likely to encounter someone — friend, family member, coworker, neighbor, or member of the community — in an emotional or mental crisis than someone having a heart attack. Mental Health First Aid teaches a 5-step action plan to offer initial help to people with the signs and symptoms of a mental illness or in a crisis, and connect them with the appropriate professional, peer, social, or self-help care. Anyone can take the 8-hour Mental Health First Aid course — first responders, students, teachers, leaders of faith communities, human resources professionals, and caring citizens.
Take the course, save a life, strengthen your community.
Primary Care Practices – “Lunch, Learn and Lengthen Life” Presentations
Through a grant from NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company, a lunchtime presentation to increase awareness of patients with thoughts of suicide and to equip medical practices to assess risk levels and develop office protocol has been offered. Each medical practice is given a Toolkit for Rural Primary Care Practices to help with this effort. To date over 110 medical staff has attended these presentations.
The Tuolumne County Suicide Prevention Task Force identified in their strategic plan the Boys Council/Girls Circle resiliency efforts created by the One Circle Foundation (http://www.OneCircleFoundation.org). These groups are being offered in Jamestown, Soulsbyville, Twain Harte, Curtis Creek and Columbia Elementary Schools, Tuolumne County Probation Dept., Sonora High School and Sierra Bible Church.
MOTHER LODE SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE LOSS – A support group serving the southern Mother Lode This support group offers a safe and nurturing place where you can be with others who have had a similar loss, learn to grieve in positive ways, and promote your ongoing healing process.
WHEN: 2nd Tuesday of every month from 6:30 – 8:00 pm
WHERE: The Gathering, 14439 Mono Way, Sonora
FACILITATED BY: Kathy & Guy Holmes (209) 532-1328
More Resources:
Know the Signs and learn how to start a conversation and where to turn for help. http://suicideispreventable.org
A guide to better mental and emotional health http://www.helpguide.org/topics/suicide_prevention.htm
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Understanding and preventing suicide through research, education, and advocacy http://www.afsp.org/
California Department of Health Care Services – suicide prevention program http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/SERVICES/MH/Pages/SuicidePrevention.aspx
Suicide Prevention, Awareness, and Support http://www.suicide.org/hotlines/california-suicide-hotlines.html
Suicide Prevention Resource Center promoting a public health approach to suicide prevention http://www.sprc.org/states/california
Tuolumne County Network of care – local health resources http://tuolumne.networkofcare.org/mh/
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Suicide Help Phone Numbers (pdf) – Phone numbers for helping people considering suicide. (Tuolumne County)