Behavioral Health empowers communities with suicide prevention tools during awareness month

The Department of Behavioral Health encourages open conversations about mental health during National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month.

The Department of Behavioral Health is proud to announce the launch of Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month this September, centered around the San Bernardino County initiative: Promote Hope. Let’s Talk. This initiative encourages open conversations about mental health, connection to resources, and community empowerment through training.

“Through education, compassion, and connection, we can create a community where no one feels alone,” said Dr. Georgina Yoshioka, director of the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health. “We invite everyone to join us in this mission, not just this month, but every day.”

Community members are encouraged to show their support for Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month by wearing teal and purple throughout September. These colors symbolize hope and remembrance: teal represents mental health awareness, and purple signifies suicide prevention. Whether you’re attending a training, sharing resources, or simply starting a conversation, wearing these colors is a powerful way to stand in solidarity and help break the stigma around mental health.

Upcoming Suicide Prevention Trainings

Behavioral Health hosts a series of free trainings throughout the month to equip residents, providers and community leaders with life-saving tools:

City	Location	Date & Time
San Bernardino	Department of Behavioral Health 303 E. Vanderbilt Way San Bernardino	Sept. 11, 1 – 4 p.m.
Crestline	Mountain Counseling & Training 340 CA Highway 138 Crestline	Sept. 13, 9 a.m. – noon
Hesperia	Hesperia Police Department 15840 Smoke Tree St. Hesperia	Sept. 15, 9 a.m. – noon
Rancho Cucamonga	Central Park 11200 Baseline Rd. Rancho Cucamonga	Sept. 18, 9 a.m. – noon
Ontario	Mt. Zion Church 224 W. California St. Ontario	Sept. 20, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Request Free safeTALK and ASIST Trainings

Community members, schools, and organizations can request free safeTALK (Suicide Alertness for Everyone) and ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) sessions by contacting the Behavioral Health Office of Suicide Prevention.

Email: DBH-OSP@dbh.sbcounty.gov

Website: http://www.sbcounty.gov/dbh

These evidence-based trainings are designed to help individuals recognize warning signs, engage with empathy and connect those in crisis to appropriate care.

Together, we can build a safer, more compassionate San Bernardino County. Join us this September to take action for mental health.

Additional County Update News – September 4, 2025