Sunday E-dition: We can all help prevent suicide
By Jeni Olsen
Trigger warning: This article references suicide and may be emotionally challenging. Please pay close attention to resources offered at the end of this article, should you need support.
NAPA, Calif. — Seven years ago this month, I embarked on a major career change and started a new nonprofit with the goal of supporting teen mental health. The year prior, Napa lost two teenagers to suicide. I, like many of our community members, was devasted and left with an overwhelming desire to understand why our youth were struggling and learn what we could do to build better support systems for them. The same year I started Teens Connect, I helped found the Napa County Suicide Prevention Council, and last year, in my current role as the Prevention Director at Mentis, I took over as chair of the council.
Suicide is a serious public health problem and a leading cause of death, both nationally and locally. Around 50,000 people died by suicide in the United States in 2022, and the number continues to rise as our country faces a growing post-COVID mental health crisis.
Records from Napa County indicate that, over the past five years, there have been 73 suicide deaths locally. This rate positions Napa at 28th among California’s 58 counties, surpassing the state average.
The recent passing of a well-regarded community member has profoundly affected our area. This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the broader issue of suicide, which has deeply touched our community, either directly or indirectly. Records from Napa County indicate that, over the past five years, there have been 73 suicide deaths locally. This rate positions Napa at 28th among California’s 58 counties, surpassing the state average. Each of these losses inflicts enduring feelings of sorrow, heartbreak and bewilderment on those left behind.
It goes without saying that there is a growing need for suicide prevention, intervention and postvention.
The NCSPC was founded in 2017 by a small group of concerned citizens, together with Napa County’s Health and Human Services agency, to raise awareness and break the stigma around suicide. The NCSPC supports local suicide prevention and stigma reduction efforts and identifies and fills gaps in suicide prevention and postvention approaches across the county. The NCSPC recently finalized a comprehensive three-year Suicide Prevention Plan that has the potential to reduce suicide risk in Napa County. The plan includes education about warning signs and strategies focused on residents who are at a disproportionate risk of suicide, as well as strategies to provide support and healing to those who are impacted by suicide. Napa County’s plan is in alignment with the State of California’s Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan, “Striving for Zero.”
Suicide does not discriminate. Suicide can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, ability, socio-economic status or background. Our goal is to ensure that individuals, friends, families and organizations in all industry sectors have access to the life-saving resources they need to support those affected by suicide.
The strategic goals outlined in our Napa County Strategic Plan for Suicide Prevention are to:
Maintain and strengthen the suicide prevention infrastructure
Enhance prevention to minimize risk for suicidal behavior
Increase early identification of suicide risk and connection to services
Coordinate suicide prevention trainings countywide
What can you do?
Learn about the signs and symptoms that someone is thinking about suicide and how to refer someone in crisis to help. Sign up for a local QPR Suicide Prevention Training.
Break stigma around suicide. Normalize help-seeking behavior and mental health treatment, which helps combat myths around suicide and reduces shame. Show compassion for those struggling with thoughts of suicide and learn about local mental health resources.
Change your language when talking about suicide. Using the word “commit” or “committed” perpetuates the stigma of suicide as a crime and indicates moral judgement. Instead, say “died by suicide”, “took his/her/their life” or “ended one’s life.”
Become educated about means safety. Ensure that people who are having thoughts of suicide do not have access to lethal means—such as firearms or medications.
Join our effort. The Napa County Suicide Prevention Council welcomes all individuals and organizations who want to strive for zero suicides in Napa County. Meetings are open to everyone and are held on Zoom on the first Thursday of every month, from 4-5:30 p.m. For more information about attending Napa County Suicide Prevention Council meetings, please visit our website: Napa County Suicide Prevention Council.
Know the Resources
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, help is available. The following bilingual hotlines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Napa County Crisis: 707-253-4711
National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988
Press 1 to be routed to the Veterans Crisis Line
Press 2 to be routed to the Spanish Crisis Line
Press 3 to be routed to the LGBTQ+ Crisis Line
For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, call 800-799-4889
Text “Home” or “Hola” to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor in English or Spanish.
If there is immediate danger of harm, call 911 and explain that you need support for a mental health crisis.
Join us in raising awareness, reducing stigma, advocating for resources and promoting a safe, connected, resilient and inclusive community to reduce the risk of suicide.
For more information, including attending a meeting, accessing crisis resources and scheduling a suicide prevention training, please visit the Napa County Suicide Prevention Council webpage or email Jeni Olsen at jolsen@mentisnapa.org.
If you or someone you love is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
If you or someone you love needs mental health or wellness support, please visit our Mentis Youth Resource Database. Mentis is one of Napa’s oldest nonprofits and provides bilingual, affordable mental health services to people of every age and income level.
As the founder of Teens Connect and director of Mentis’ Prevention Division, Jeni Olsen manages youth wellness programs through a mental health lens together with local teenagers and her Prevention team. As a director, speaker and writer, Jeni is often sought out for her in-depth expertise around teens and her forward-thinking, collaborative approach to supporting youth and their complex needs.
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Last Week
In last week’s "Sunday E-dition: Happy Year of the Dragon," Glenda Winders reflects on her appreciation for the Lunar New Year, inspired by her experiences in Hong Kong and encounters with Chinese culture. She discusses the festival's history and the contributions of Chinese immigrants in constructing Napa Valley's wine caves. Her article highlights the significance of the Lunar New Year's traditions and customs, which she embraces in her annual celebrations, focusing on renewal and self-improvement as the Year of the Dragon begins.
In "HealthWell donates $4 billion to fight soaring medical costs," Dave Stoneberg highlighted the HealthWell Foundation's contribution to assist underinsured patients, as detailed by co-founder Dr. Nancy Carteron. The article emphasized the escalating costs of medication with patient anecdotes illustrating the financial burden of healthcare. It also noted HealthWell's growing role in providing financial aid, including a significant increase in grants, and its involvement in initiatives like the White House Cancer Moonshot. The foundation's efficiency in fundraising and patient support was acknowledged.
Tim Carl's article "Napa Valley grape prices see continued surge in 2023" reveals a complex situation in the Napa Valley wine industry, as detailed in the Preliminary 2023 California Grape Crush Report. The report shows an increase in grape prices, especially in Napa Valley, but contrasts with a decrease in demand for these high-priced wines. This discrepancy raises concerns about a potential bubble in the market, despite Napa Valley's historical premium pricing advantage. The article highlights issues such as market speculation and global competition, suggesting an uncertain future for the region's wine industry.
In "The history of Napa Valley's Lake Berryessa," Kathleen Scavone explores the lake's transition from an ancient tribal land to a modern recreational area. The article highlights archaeological findings that reveal the area's past life, including the submerged town of Monticello following the construction of the Monticello Dam in the 1940s. Today, Lake Berryessa is a hub for outdoor activities and wildlife, retaining its historical and ecological importance.
In "Moths and butterflies: Understanding their role and diversity in our gardens," Penny Pawl, a UC Master Gardener, delved into the distinctions and similarities between moths and butterflies, highlighting their ecological roles. She discussed the predominance of moths over butterflies and shared her experience with the tomato hornworm, which transforms into the five-spotted hawkmoth. Pawl emphasized the importance of preserving species like the declining monarch butterfly and provided guidance for gardeners to support these pollinators by planting diverse, nectar-rich plants and native species.
This Week
This week, our readers can expect a range of engaging articles from Napa Valley Features contributors. We'll hear from a new contributor, Lowell Young, a name synonymous with innovative science education in Napa Valley, as he shares his insights into another local educator and Napa Valley Features contributor, Kathleen Scaone's book about marshes. Stoneberg will report on 100 years of Napa County crop reports, while a new contributor, Paul Wagner, will report on a groundbreaking event at Napa Valley Junior College. We'll also feature Liz Alessio and Pete Mott, sharing their perspectives and arguments for why they should be the next Napa County supervisors. The Master Gardener series will continue to provide insights into local gardening. We will also be hearing from yet another new contributor, local journalistic legend Peter Kilkus, on the importance of voting. On Friday, The Weekender will serve as a guide to upcoming events and activities in Napa Valley. On Saturday, Carl will delve into local issues in the "Under the Hood" series for our paid subscribers. This series also includes an economic dashboard, a levity corner and a curated list of hot topics. In addition, look forward to even more comprehensive coverage throughout the week.
In the early 1980's, as a student pursuing a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology, my final research project addressed the startling incidenses of teen suicide in Napa County. Through the tremendous work of Jeni Olsen and others, we as a community are better informed and many of all ages have been saved. Yet, as Jeni explains in this article, suicide continues to be an alarming issue in our community. Please take any suspicion of suicidal thoughts seriously, follow Jeni's advice and share this important article. Laurie Claudon Clark