To: Board of Supervisors
From: Dr. Grant Colfax, Health Services Director
Report Title: Recognize September as National Suicide Prevention Month
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Adopt resolution recognizing September 2025 as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact for this action.
BACKGROUND:
N/A
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
N/A
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
and for Special Districts, Agencies and Authorities Governed by the Board
body
IN THE MATTER OF Recognizing September 2025 as National Suicide Awareness Month
WHEREAS, September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. During this month, mental health professionals and advocates, community-based organizations and partners, survivors and allies, and members of the community promote unity, support, recovery, resilience, and hope in suicide prevention awareness; and
WHEREAS, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) highlight the call to action for evidence-based suicide prevention strategies by connecting individuals and communities to life saving support; and
WHEREAS, the theme for 2025 is “Together in Strength, Dignity, Hope, and Purpose”; and
WHEREAS, suicide prevention includes understanding risk, providing access to timely and compassionate care, and providing individual support and care; and
WHEREAS, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recommends elevating and embracing the distinct role and programs of peer-led efforts through connectedness, community, and the decrease of stigma; and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa Behavioral Health has promoted and lifted peer support training, internships, education, employment, and services for the past 31 years in collaboration with Contra Costa Health, community-based organizations, and Contra Costa College; and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa Health continues to strive and provide increased access and visibility to trauma informed and compassionate care, including development and expansion of crisis continuum services like separate adult and youth crisis stabilization units, A3 (Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime), the addition and expansion of behavioral health treatment and housing, upcoming opening of the Oak Grove center which includes Peer Respite, expanded hour drop-in care, and the Miles Hall Crisis Call Center; and
WHEREAS, NAMI Contra Costa and other longtime community partners continue their tireless service to provide support groups, free educational programs, community outreach and advocacy for individuals affected by mental illness, their families and the broader community; and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa Behavioral Health Transformation responds to the needs and feedback from local community stakeholders to actively and responsibly address and mitigate a distressing trend of increased suicide rates locally and statewide.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: that the County Board of Supervisors does hereby recognize.