Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Dave Pine, District 1
Supervisor David Canepa, District 5
Subject: Presentation of 2021-2026 Suicide Prevention Roadmap and Resolution declaring Suicide as a Public Health Concern in San Mateo County
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation to:
A) Accept the 2021-2026 Suicide Prevention Roadmap; and
B) Adopt a resolution declaring suicide as a public health concern in San Mateo County.
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BACKGROUND:
Suicide is both a personal and public health concern. Many, if not most, residents of San Mateo County know someone who has thought about or attempted suicide, or who died by suicide. That someone may be a family member, coworker, neighbor, friend or role model. As tragic and devastating as suicide can be to a person and community, there are many ways to prevent suicide - from talking openly about suicide with another person, to creating a society that is more connected and resilient.
Suicide is also a complex public health issue that involves a variety of factors at the individual, relationship, community and societal level. While mental health is still a major factor of suicide, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports many other factors that contribute to suicide, including relationship problems, recent crisis, substance use, physical health problems, job/financial problems, criminal legal problems and loss of housing. The COVID-19 pandemic has served to exacerbate these risk factors.
Recognizing this concern, the San Mateo County Suicide Prevention Committee (SPC) was created in 2009 to provide oversight and direction to suicide prevention efforts in San Mateo County. The SPC is comprised of passionate suicide prevention advocates, including suicide attempt survivors, suicide loss survivors and representatives from behavioral health, primary care, emergency health services, social services, law enforcement, transportation, education, communication & media, art & culture, spirituality & faith, and community members.
This year, the SPC engaged in a months-long process to develop the 2021-2026 Suicide Prevention Roadmap to outline a strategy on how to collectively prevent suicide in our community. The Roadmap is informed by the best practices, resources, quantitative data and qualitative data, including input from community members and those with lived experience as suicide attempt or loss survivors.
DISCUSSION:
Concurrent with the presentation and acceptance of this Roadmap, the Board is asked to adopt a resolution to declare Suicide as a Public Health Concern in San Mateo County and pledges to implement efforts outlined in the San Mateo County Suicide Prevention Roadmap 2021-2026, such as establishing suicide prevention infrastructure, minimizing risk factors and promoting protective factors of suicide, increasing identification and services based on suicide risk and improving suicide-related services and supports, in order to reduce suicide in San Mateo County.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.