The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion today authored by Supervisor Kathryn Barger that creates more awareness regarding suicide prevention in Los Angeles County.
“We need to do all that is possible to reduce the number of suicide deaths in Los Angeles County,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “There are many people who are still struggling with the emotional impact and strain of the pandemic, inflation, and other stressors and may feel on the edge. We have a collective responsibility to be on the lookout for behaviors and signs that indicate someone is contemplating taking their life. Suicide is preventable and the County has resources to help anyone who is struggling.”
The motion noted the resources provided by Los Angeles County’s Department of Mental Health (DMH) that raise awareness about suicide prevention through community resources and training initiatives, such as the Partners in Suicide Prevention, and DMH’s Help Line where caring listeners provide support, referrals and resources to the community. The toll-free DMH Help Line number is (800) 854-7771, which is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is 9-8-8.
The proclamation was made the same week Los Angeles County will kick off its newly formed Veteran Suicide Review Team. More information about this first-of-its-kind team and model can be found here.