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The City of Santa Monica has been supportive in opening needed conversations about mental health awareness.
The City of Santa Monica has been supportive of opening needed conversations about mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
At the September 12 meeting of the Santa Monica City Council, Mayor Gleam Davis read a proclamation recognizing September as National Suicide Prevention Month. To further its efforts, the city also partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to host the March Out of Darkness 2023 on October 21.
“It is important to speak openly about mental health and the impacts of suicide to prioritize this issue, help eliminate stigma, and increase visibility of mental health and suicide prevention resources available in our community” , Davis said as part of the proclamation.
The Council selected the meeting date of September 12 to recognize the week of September 10-16 as Suicide Prevention Week nationwide. The proclamation states that the city recognizes “supporting ourselves and others” by prioritizing mental health, celebrating diverse pathways to recovery and healing, and encouraging residents to engage in mental health education. suicide prevention.
The topic hits home, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded 4,148 suicide deaths in California in 2021. The topic is particularly personal for AFSP’s Bridget McCarthy, who lost her son Riley Chart to suicide in September 2020 while he was with Santa Claus. Monique High School.
After her son’s death, McCarthy advocated for mental health, leading to a partnership with city officials for the Out of the Darkness march, which will begin at the Santa Monica Pier.
“Friends, family, neighbors and colleagues walk side by side, supporting each other in memory of those we have lost,” McCarthy said in a video shown to council members.
Registration for the walk will be through the AFSP website, afsp.org, and the day will include performances by DJ The Crystal Method and singer/songwriter Kate Vogel.
“I walk to show hope that you can still have a good life and that you deserve it, and also that healing is possible,” Vogel said. “I walk to give hope to those who are struggling and show that you deserve healing.”
McCarthy also traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with lawmakers and call for mental health professionals in schools. Making progress in mental wellness education is vital during National Suicide Prevention Month and beyond, as suicide is the third leading cause of death between ages 10 and 24 in California, according to the advocacy group at non-profit The Jason Foundation.
The foundation, established by Clark Flatt after the suicide of his son Jason in 1997, seeks to raise awareness and educate young people, an endeavor described as taking “a village” to attack.
“It’s not just going to be about the family, it’s going to take the school system, it’s going to take the sports teams, it’s going to take the community as a whole to really make a difference,” said Brett Marciel, assistant superintendent and chief communications officer. director of the foundation.
Marciel pointed to a survey of Los Angeles County high school students as cause for concern, with the survey indicating that 15 percent of Los Angeles-area high school students made a plan about how to attempt suicide during over the past year, and almost 10 percent have attempted the act. .
Using curricula designed for students in grades 7-12 and aimed at health and wellness lessons, the foundation attempts to teach youth and adults about the warning signs of those who exhibit characteristics of self-harm.
“Most people who are considering suicide show signs of their intention, whether verbally or behaviorally,” Marciel said. “It can be suicidal verbal threats. This can be indirect… “I wish I wasn’t here anymore” or “you won’t have to worry about me for much longer”. Or it can be explicit. It could be “I’m going to hurt myself” or “I’m going to kill myself.” These warning signs indicate unusual behavior.
Marciel also said that a healthy lifestyle and healthy routine can contribute to the positive mental well-being of young people, while limiting cell phone use and participating in extracurricular activities. Affirming that “resilience breeds consistency”, he knows that the mental health topics highlighted in September should be addressed all year round.
“We don’t just reach out during (National) Suicide Prevention Month…that’s a great place to start, but these healthy habits need to continue throughout the year…which is really important is this repetitiveness.”
