LA County Expands Suicide Prevention Efforts Amid Rising Mental Health Concerns

Los Angeles County officials are ramping up efforts to combat suicide, reaffirming September 2024 as “National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.” The move comes as part of a comprehensive strategy to address rising mental health concerns in the region.

Supervisor Janice Hahn has submitted a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors to instruct the Directors of Mental Health and Public Health to promote awareness of suicide prevention resources. These include the 988 Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Line, Teen Line, and the California Department of Public Health’s Never a Bother Campaign.

The recommendation calls for County departments to identify opportunities to support and coordinate ongoing suicide prevention activities for adults and youth. They will also work to improve the collection and sharing of suicide and suicide attempt data.

If approved, officials would be required to report back to the Board in writing within 120 days on existing suicide prevention activities and potential opportunities for expansion. This initiative underscores the County’s commitment to addressing mental health crises and reducing suicide rates.

By focusing on both awareness and data collection, Los Angeles County officials said the County intends to create a more comprehensive approach to suicide prevention. The initiative seeks to reach vulnerable populations and improve the effectiveness of intervention strategies.