About Suicide Prevention
Suicide Prevention: Discussing the Importance of Mental Health
"Just because no one else can heal or do your inner work for you,
doesn't mean you can, should or need to do it alone." -Lisa Olivera
Suicide prevention is important because every life matters—and behind every statistic is a person with a story, a family, and a future that could be changed with support, understanding, and timely help.
With awareness, early intervention, and access to mental health support, lives can be saved.
Break the Silence and Reduce Stigma
Many people suffer in silence due to shame, fear, or cultural stigma. Suicide prevention efforts help open up conversations, normalize seeking help, and create a society where mental health is taken seriously.
Support Mental Health Awareness
Suicide prevention goes hand-in-hand with broader mental health awareness. It encourages people to recognize signs of distress—in themselves and others—and equips communities to respond with empathy and action.
We want to offer Hope
Even in the darkest moments, hope is powerful. Suicide prevention efforts remind people that they are not alone, that help is available, and that their lives are worth living.
Help Families and Communities Heal
The impact of suicide is profound and far-reaching. Prevention helps spare families, friends, and communities the pain of loss—and provides resources to support healing when loss does occur.
Ultimately, suicide prevention is about compassion, connection, and care. It’s about building a world where people feel seen, heard, and valued—especially when they’re struggling the most.
In San Joaquin County, there are approximately 80 deaths by suicide each year. These numbers reflect the harsh reality of mental health challenges affecting countless people.
In 2015, the San Joaquin County Child Abuse Prevention Council received funding from Behavioral Health Services and the Mental Health Services Act to develop the Suicide Prevention program.
The primary goals of this program are:
- to provide prevention and awareness presentations to high school youth
- facilitate psycho education groups to mitigate anxiety and depression
- complete depression screenings that identify youth's mental health needs
- ensure youth are appropriately referred for supportive services
- to empower community members of all ages with the tools to ask for help and to stand beside others during times of mental health crisis
Survivor Spotlight: In Memory of Thomas Sanchez
Click Here to Watch
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, please call:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
988
Talk or Text
