On October 10, the City of Oakley will host its first annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk to help raise awareness of suicide prevention.
The walk will take place at Cypress Grove Community Park, located at 4001 Frank Hengel Way. Registration will begin at 9:00am and the walk will start at 10:00am.
The event comes as Oakley has seen an increase in suicides in the last few years. In 2014, Oakley had 11. In 2015, Oakley has had 5 suicides as of July 31.
In 2011, according to County data, 116 people committed suicide in Contra Costa County. The same data shows more than 39,000 people committed suicide in 2011.
Since mid-2014, Contra Costa County Supervisor Mary Piepho and former Oakley Councilwoman now East Bay Regional Park District Director Diane Burgis worked to raise awareness within the community by creating a task force for East County while working with the Contra Costa County Crisis Center.
The goal was to bring educational opportunities to East Contra Costa, specifically Oakley. This resulted in working with community stakeholders and faith based organizations to hold discussions and solutions on getting information to those who may need it–specifically how to spot warning signs of someone who may be suicidal. Oakley then pushed the topic onto You, Me, We = Oakley to host Crisis Intervention Classes.
Oakley City Councilwoman Vanessa Perry wanted to keep the topic in the public eye and help raise awareness.
“I wanted to bring one of these walks to Oakley because it is a great opportunity to bring our community together to talk about something that is seldom talked about. Together we can help break the stigma that mental health and suicide has, and we can start helping to prevent this from affecting our community any further,” said Perry.
Out of the Darkness Community Walks are fundraising walks supporting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. There are over 360 Out of the Darkness Community Walks taking place throughout the U.S. this fall. Funds will support vital research, education, advocacy, suicide prevention initiatives and programs to support those impacted by suicide.
AFSP’s goal is to reduce the annual rate of suicide by 20 percent by 2025.
Registration is free. To find out more, sign up to volunteer or walk at the event, please go to https://afsp.donordrive.com/event/oakley.
More information
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
