County suicide prevention efforts win two awards from a statewide learning collaborative

The San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health’s efforts to prevent suicide received two awards from a statewide suicide prevention collaborative.

The Striving for Zero Suicide Prevention Strategic Planning Learning Collaborative, a statewide effort to unite counties to work on suicide prevention, honored the new San Bernardino County Office of Suicide Prevention’s Promote Hope. Let’s Talk campaign. The collaboration also recognized Behavioral Health’s Whole Community—Everyone Can Play a Role in Suicide Prevention for the 2023 Directing Change Award Ceremony. Both awards were given in the Sustainable Practices category.

The Directing Change Ceremony honored local youth filmmakers who submitted their films to the annual Directing Change Film Contest. Directing Change is part of a statewide effort to prevent suicide, reduce stigma and discrimination related to mental illness, and promote the mental health and wellness of students. Filmmakers and their families were invited to a screening event where their films were presented for public viewing. The event garnered support from local leaders and community partners, with local elected officials recognizing the filmmakers. San Bernardino County had 40 submissions and 105 youth participants in 2023.

The Promote Hope, Let’s Talk campaign resulted from the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors approving the creation of the Office of Suicide Prevention as part of the Mental Health Services Act Three-Year Integrated Plan. The office, an expansion of Behavioral Health’s efforts, focuses on educating the community about suicide prevention and offering messages of hope and resources.

Aligned with statewide goals and the Countywide Vision, the Office of Suicide Prevention aims to provide residents with safety, health and social service support. As a part of the campaign, Behavioral Health staff conducted community training on suicide awareness and intervention. The Office of Suicide Prevention website, https://wp.sbcounty.gov/dbh/osp/, offers educational resources to the community to equip residents with preventative information.

The Department of Behavioral Health Director Dr. Georgina Yoshioka and the county’s Second District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez partnered for a telephone town hall where the community was encouraged to join and engage with questions and comments. To listen to the conversation, visit Promote Hope. Let’s Talk.

Additional County Update News – March 21, 2024