Pasadena Unites: Mental Health Organizations and Local Agencies Join Forces for Suicide Prevention Month

September marks National Suicide Prevention Month. As the month begins, Pasadena’s mental health organizations are working to forge powerful alliances with local government agencies and law enforcement to create a more comprehensive support system for those at risk of suicide.

The month-long observance will feature various initiatives and events throughout Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley, including the Pasadena Police Department’s H.O.P.E. Walk In Remembrance.

Local organizations like Hillsides and National Alliance on Mental Illness San Gabriel Valley are at the forefront of these collaborative efforts, offering a range of services from crisis intervention training for law enforcement to youth-focused mental health programs.

“HillsidesCares provides ongoing mental health support for children ages 6-17 years old,” said Kristin Feltz, Director of Communications & Marketing at Hillsides. “The comprehensive treatment program offers various levels of care to best suit the needs of each child and family.”

Hillsides also offers the Youth Moving On program, supporting young adults with behavioral health services and peer-led groups addressing mental health and suicide ideation.

National Alliance on Mental Illness San Gabriel Valley is focusing on community education and partnerships with local government agencies. Lucy Meseberg, a member of the Board of Managers for the Alliance, highlighted their collaboration with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.

“We have hosted the QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) Suicide prevention trainings in collaboration with the LA County Department of Mental Health, and we look to host them again in our upcoming season of trainings,” Meseberg said.

The organization is also working to improve interactions between law enforcement and individuals with mental illness. 

“We also send presenters to the crisis training of county sheriffs to teach them about the real stories of people living with mental illness in order to accomplish better cooperation and better outcomes for people who interact with law enforcement officers as a result of behavior induced by symptoms of mental illness,” Meseberg added.

National Alliance on Mental Illness San Gabriel Valley runs the Ending the Silence program in local schools to reduce stigma associated with mental health issues. They also offer “In Our Own Voice” presentations to community groups and host support groups for individuals with mental health challenges and their families.

These initiatives aim to reduce stigma, improve crisis response, and provide comprehensive mental health support for Pasadena residents, particularly youth and young adults.

The collaborative approach between mental health organizations and local government agencies could serve as a model for other communities seeking to enhance their mental health support systems. Hillsides works with elected officials to raise awareness and support policies that strengthen behavioral health delivery, while National Alliance on Mental Illness San Gabriel Valley partners with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Government’s SGV Care program.

Hillsides has identified a new challenge related to the use of the term “unalive” on social media platforms to discuss suicide, potentially furthering stigma. The organization plans to address this through psychoeducation for families in their care.

National Suicide Prevention Month includes World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10 and National Suicide Prevention Week. Key resources available include the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Employee Assistance Programs, and local mental health providers and support groups.

The goal of these efforts is to foster a supportive environment, encourage open conversations about mental health, and ultimately save lives through increased awareness and access to resources.