With September being National Suicide Prevention Month, officials are looking at ways to increase suicide prevention awareness to reduce the number of suicides in Contra Costa County.
In East Contra Costa County, raising awareness about the services available through the County could not be timelier. On August 26, the City of Brentwood experienced its 2nd suicide of the year where it’s rumored to be a Liberty High School student.
Meanwhile in Oakley, police are currently investigating a potential 8th suicide which occurred last week—7 suicides have been confirmed. Some of the incidents involved self-inflicted gunshots, hanging, and walking onto train tracks—according to data, there did not appear to be any demographic commonality with a spread in ages and backgrounds.
Data as of March 21 shows the City of Antioch has had 2 suicides.
Since March, Oakley Councilwoman Diane Burgis has been working with Supervisor Mary Piepho about increasing awareness of services available to residents of East County. Assemblyman Jim Frazier, is working with the Kim Karr of #ICANHELP to raise awareness of anti-bullying in schools to prevent suicides.
Supervisor Mary Piephos staff explained that the Supervisor has met with County Health Representatives and stakeholders to further education on the topic and raise awareness so more people may get help.
On April 30, Piepho and Burgis held a meeting with stakeholders which included police chiefs, school district members, Crisis Center and County behavioral health personnel and members of the medical community.
Supervisor Piepho and Burgis have also worked closely with Freedom High School where during school registration, 2,000 pieces of material were distributed to students and families with a suicide prevention phone number included in the hand out.
Supervisor Piepho along with Burgis continued their suicide prevention efforts at Freedom high School’s registration week with over 2000 pieces of material having been distributed to students and families. Chapstick called “chat stick” with suicide prevention phone number on it were also handed out
According to the Contra Costa County Suicide Prevention Plan adopted in 2013, in 2011, 116 people died by suicide in Contra Costa County, an average of more than 9 individuals per month. The 2011 data, the highest number of suicides occurred among residents of Concord (20), followed by Richmond (13) and Antioch (11).
In Contra Costa County, males are approximately three times more likely to die by suicide than females. Males had a higher number (79) and rate (15.2 per 100,000) of suicide when compared to females (37 and 6.8 per 100,000).
The largest percentage and the highest rate of suicides occur among residents between the ages of 55 and 64 (30% and 26.7, respectively).
More than one -third of all suicide deaths involved a firearm (34%). Drug overdose (25%) and hanging (21%) were other common means of suicide in Contra Costa County. Men accounted for a larger percentage of the deaths by gunshot; whereas, women accounted for a larger percentage of deaths by drug overdose when compared to men.
Contra Costa County’s Mental Health Department
Contra Costa County’s Mental Health Department provides programs and services for children, adolescents, young adults, adults, and older adults of Contra Costa County. Any Contra Costa resident who experiences a mental or emotional crisis can get help from our Crisis Services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
East County Resource Guide – Open here.
Mental Health Crisis Services
Anyone living in Contra Costa County who experiences a mental or emotional crisis can get help. Mental Health Crisis Services are available in person or over the phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week at:
- 24 Hour Crisis Line – Click here. – 800-833-2900
- Psychiatric Emergency Services
Contra Costa Regional Medical Center (north side)
2500 Alhambra Avenue in Martinez
For referral information call 1-888-678-7277 any time day or night. The call is free.
Suicide Prevention
There’s a myth that people who talk about suicide won’t really do it. This is wrong. Before attempting suicide, many people make direct statements about their intention to end their lives or less direct comments about how they might as well be dead or that their friends and family will be better off without them. Any reference to suicide should be taken seriously.
- Helping a Suicidal Person
- Reporting on Suicide
- Suicide myths and facts
- Suicide warning signs
- Youth and senior suicide
Information on other issues
Click to Enlarge the or view the document online: Crisis-Line-Stats
4 comments
Excellent! While too late for my son, I do hope these efforts save a parent the grief I will always feel.
@ Leslie sorry for your lost.
Thanks Sam… 🙂 I had no idea how many suicides happen, it is exceedingly sad for anyone involved
Great post ECT. There is help out there. Everyone should copy the flier if not for yourself for someone else. Many people do not know all the services available to them.
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