Office of Suicide Prevention
An expansion of the Department of Behavioral Health’s (DBH) prevention and early intervention efforts. This administrative office will focus on education about suicide prevention with a message of hope and resources.
Pain isn’t always obvious, but most people show some signs when they are thinking about suicide. Warning signs may appear in conversations, through a person’s actions, or in social media posts. If you observe one or more warning signs, especially if the behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event, loss, or change, reach out. To learn more about available crisis services in San Bernardino County, please view Behavioral Health Urgent Care Services
For administrative questions regarding this office, please email dbh-osp@dbh.sbcounty.gov
Common Warning Signs
Some of the warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide, may include:
- Talking about wanting to die or suicide
- Uncontrolled anger
- Increased alcohol or drug use
- Reckless behavior
- Feeling hopeless, desperate, and/or trapped
- No sense of purpose
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Putting affairs in order
Upcoming Trainings
SafeTALK
In this free three-hour training, participants will learn how to to recognize and support a person with thoughts of suicide. Participants will become a: “safeTALK-trained suicide alert helper.” Over the course of training, participants will learn to:
- Notice and respond to situations where suicide thoughts might be present
- Recognize that invitations for help are often overlooked
- Move beyond the common tendency to miss, dismiss, and avoid suicide
- Apply the TALK steps: Tell, Ask, Listen, and Keep Safe
- Know community resources
The next upcoming community training is:
Training dates coming soon
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
A free two-day workshop designed for all community members. This training will enhance a person’s ability to assist a person at risk of suicide. Over the course of training, participants will learn to:
- Identify people who have thoughts of suicide
- Understand how beliefs and attitudes can affect suicide interventions
- Reduce barriers which hinder the ability to be direct and comfortable with suicidal situations
- Understand a person at risk’s story and recognize turning points that connect the person to life
- Conduct a safety assessment and develop a plan that will keep the person at risk safe-for-now
- Engage in building resource networks for individuals at risk of suicide
The next upcoming community training is:
Training dates coming soon
Mental Health First Aid
Identify. Understand. Respond.
Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis:
Who should attend:
- Identify signs of depression, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders
- Assess for risk of suicide or harm
- Listen nonjudgmentally
- Implement appropriate interventions when those you know are experiencing panic attacks, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, acute psychosis, overdoses or withdrawal from substance use, and reaction to traumatic events.
- Community/Public
- Community Organizations
- County Staff
- Faith-Based Organizations
- Contract Providers
- School Personnel
The next upcoming community training is:
Training dates coming soon
Starting the Conversation
Before starting a conversation with someone you are concerned about, be prepared. Have a list of crisis resources on hand. Practice what you will say. Plan the conversation for a time when you won’t be in a hurry and can spend time with the person.
Listen First
Listen to the reasons the person has for both living and dying. Validate that they are considering both options and underscore that living is an option for them.
Create a Safety Plan
Ask the person if they have access to any lethal means (i.e.: weapons, medications) and ask if you can help remove them from the vicinity (another friend, family member or law enforcement agent may be needed to assist). Do not put yourself in danger; if you are concerned about the person’s imminent danger or your own safety, call 911.
Get Help
The county and department are here and available for anyone struggling to overcome suicidal crisis or mental-health related distress. The Community Crisis Response Team (CCRT) is a community-based mobile crisis response team for children and adults experiencing a psychiatric emergency. CCRT is available in English and Spanish 24/7/365 by calling (800) 398-0018 or by text at (909) 420-0560.
For more information on mental health and substance use disorder services in San Bernardino County, call (888) 743-1478, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you are experiencing an active life-threatening emergency, please call 911.
Available Resources
You are never alone. Below are available resources:
Behavioral Health Urgent Care Services
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Disaster Distress Helpline
Know the Signs
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
The Trevor Project
Veterans Affairs Suicide Prevention
Veterans Crisis Line
Access Unit
(Behavioral Health Helpline)
(888) 743-1478
Screening Assessment and Referral Center (Substance Use Disorder Helpline)