Under the Hood: We All Have the Ability to Help Prevent Suicide

By Charlotte Hajer and Jeni Olsen

Sep 21, 2024

The Spotlight

Welcome to 'Under the Hood,' our Saturday series for Napa Valley Features paid subscribers. Today we delve into the critical issue of suicide prevention, highlighting local efforts and what each of us can do to help save lives in Napa County. In this special piece by Charlotte Hajer and Jeni Olsen, we explore how open conversations about mental health can make a powerful difference, especially during National Suicide Prevention Month.

Additionally, we’re diving into the latest data from our readers’ polls and providing insights from our economic dashboard, covering local Napa Valley, U.S. and global markets.

In addition, we feature "What We're Reading," a section with a handpicked list of recent articles that provide a variety of viewpoints on issues important to our community.

As a community service, we've removed the paywall for this article. For just 16 cents a day, a paid subscription gives you unlimited access to all of our content while supporting our mission to deliver high-quality local journalism. Join us in building a community that values in-depth reporting and meaningful stories.

Leave a comment

Trigger warning: This article references suicide and may be emotionally challenging. Please pay close attention to the resources offered in this article should you need support.

NAPA VALLEY, Calif. — Suicide is a scary concept. It’s a term we might whisper, if we even dare speak it at all, for fear of somehow manifesting it in the world. But did you know research proves that talking about suicide is actually a powerful tool to prevent it? So this September, in honor of National Suicide Prevention Month, let’s talk about it. Suicide is the most preventable kind of death – so let’s learn how to recognize the signs that someone is in crisis, and let’s explore what each of us can do to help prevent another suicide in our community.

Suicide is an important public-health issue here in Napa County. Our local suicide rate is higher than the state average, with young people and the elderly at especially high risk. According to the California Healthy Kids survey, as many as 15% of ninth-graders in the Napa Valley Unified School District have considered suicide in the past 12 months. And of the individuals who died by suicide in the county between 2020 and 2022, almost half were over the age of 65.

Thankfully, we don’t have to be mental-health providers in order to do something about these heartbreaking statistics. All of us have the ability to help prevent suicide: by learning to recognize its warning signs, by supporting local suicide-prevention efforts, and by joining the conversation about mental health and wellness.

Most people who have thoughts of suicide show some signs that they are considering hurting themselves. Someone might talk about death or wanting to die, they might withdraw from their social life or start engaging in reckless behavior, or they might begin to give away prized possessions. It’s important to take all signs seriously – and when you notice one of them, speak up. This might sound daunting – and finding the words to do this can be difficult. Luckily, there are resources available to help. At suicideispreventable.org, you’ll find an extensive list of warning signs, as well as a few sample prompts to help you start the conversation. You can also look for a local training in Question, Persuade, Refer – an evidence-based suicide prevention technique that can be used by anyone to help someone in crisis by asking them if they’re considering hurting themselves, encouraging them to seek support and helping them connect to available services. The Napa County Suicide Prevention Council offers free QPR trainings throughout the valley; you can learn more on their website.

Another powerful tool for prevention? Normalizing talk about suicide and mental health. When we speak freely about mental health challenges and seeking therapy or other kinds of help, we reduce the stigma that might prevent people in crisis from reaching out for support. Our choice of words also makes a difference here. Words like “committing” or “committed” can imply moral judgment or even make something sound like a criminal act. So instead, say “thinking of hurting oneself” or “died by suicide” or “ended one’s life.”

And finally, we can support prevention by educating ourselves. We can learn about the facts of suicide to help combat myths that can perpetuate stigma (like the belief that talking about suicide increases the chances someone will take action). We can learn about means safety, so we can help ensure that people who are thinking of suicide do not have access to lethal means such as firearms or medication. And we can learn about local suicide prevention and intervention services – so that we can connect loved ones in crisis to the support they need.

Here are just a few available resources:

The Napa County Crisis Hotline, available 24/7: 707-253-4711
The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 to be connected with a counselor in English or Spanish.
Text “Home” or “Hola” to 74741 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.
If you or someone you love needs mental-health or wellness support, please visit the Mentis Resource Database to find a variety of resources available locally.

The Napa County Suicide Prevention Council, founded in 2017, actively works to support local resources for suicide prevention and intervention, reduce stigma and support survivors. The council’s website offers additional resources and information, and its monthly meetings are open to the public. For more information, including about attending a council meeting, accessing crisis resources or scheduling a QPR suicide-prevention training, please visit the council’s webpage or email chairperson Jeni Olsen at jolsen@mentisnapa.org.

If today's story captured your interest, explore these related articles:

As the 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, Olsen is often sought out for her in-depth expertise around teens and her forward-thinking, collaborative approach to supporting youth and their complex needs.

Charlotte Hajer is Mentis’ development director. She holds a Ph.D. in cross-cultural mental health and loves to write about the way individuals experience and navigate the social and cultural world around them.

Recent Poll Results

In the article "Manage Social Media for Better Mental Health," Charlotte Hajer and Maya Frazier discussed the complex role of social media in our well-being. While it can be a powerful tool for self-expression and positive connection, it also presents risks to mental health, especially for young people. Three polls conducted on the topic reveal that most people believe there should be an age limit for social-media use, express high concern about its impact on youth mental health, and employ strategies like limiting platform usage and turning off notifications to mitigate its effects.

Question: Do you think there should be an age limit for social media use? The majority of respondents (59%) believe there should definitely be an age limit for social media use, with another 26% saying "probably." A small number are unsure (7%), while 4% each believe there should probably or definitely not be an age limit. Total responses: 27.

Question: What level of concern do you have regarding social media and the mental health of young people? A significant portion of respondents have a very high (57%) or high (29%) level of concern about social media’s impact on the mental health of young people. Only 11% have a moderate level of concern, while a minimal 4% report low concern, and no respondents express no concern at all. Total responses: 28.

Question: What strategies do you use to manage social media’s impact on your mental health? Respondents reported that the most common strategies to manage social media's impact on their mental health are limiting platform usage (38%) and turning off notifications (38%). Some engage in offline activities (13%) or express no concerns (13%). No respondents selected other strategies. Total responses: 24.

The Economy

Economic Pulse Indicators Local:

The unemployment rate in Napa County increased to 4.1% in July, up from 3.8% in June, and was higher than the year-ago rate of 3.3%, compared to 5.8% for California and 4.5% for the nation. (Source)

As of Sept. 18, Napa County had 1,884 Type-02 winery licenses, a decrease of four from last week (Source).

As of Sept. 18, California has 6,846 Type-02 winery licenses, a decrease of five from last week. (Source)
The labor force in Napa County decreased slightly in June when compared to May. (Source)
The median list price of housing in Napa County remains lower than its peak in May 2023, with August showing a 3.21% decline from the month prior. (Source)
Zillow's latest data reveal that as of Sept. 11, home values in Napa County have experienced a 1.2% increase year over year to an average of $904,461 but are down 2.03% from last month’s $923,179. (Source)
Since 2020, Napa County’s population growth rate has decreased 3.93% (down 5,397 since 2020) and is expected to decline significantly in the coming years. (Source)

Give a gift subscription

Economic Pulse Indicators United States:

Wine production in the United States totals 806.1 million gallons, with California contributing 680.3 million gallons, making up approximately 84.4% of the nation's total wine production. (Source)

White-collar layoffs continue, with 137,500 worldwide layoffs as of Sept. 18, which is 718 more laid off since last week. (Source)
California’s overall population is declining but not as fast as Napa County’s. (Source)

August unemployment dropped 0.1% to 4.2% (Source), and the most recent household and payroll survey increased slightly to 154,925. (Source)
In August the Consumer Price Index rose 0.2%, matching July's increase. Over the past year, the CPI grew 2.5%, the smallest rise since February 2021. Shelter costs were the main driver, increasing 0.5%. Food prices rose 0.1%, while energy prices dropped 0.8%. Excluding food and energy, the CPI rose 0.3%, with increases in shelter, airline fares and insurance but declines in used cars, medical care and recreation. Over the last 12 months, energy prices fell 4%, and food prices rose 2.1%. (Source)
In July the Producer Price Index for final demand rose 0.1%, with a 2.2% increase over the past year. Final-demand goods prices increased 0.6%, led by higher energy costs, while services fell 0.2%. Excluding food, energy and trade services, the PPI rose 0.3% in July and 3.3% over the past year. (Source)
For the week ending Aug. 31, initial unemployment claims were 227,000, down 5,000 from the previous week's revised 232,000. The four-week average dropped to 230,000. The insured unemployment rate for the week ending Aug. 24 remained at 1.2%, with insured unemployment falling by 22,000 to 1,838,000. The four-week average for insured unemployment decreased to 1,853,000. (Source)
U.S. Treasury yield inversion remains, although the 10-year briefly uninverted, suggesting a whipsaw moment. (Source)
Gas prices continue to decrease nationally, but local pump prices have been increasing. (Source)
Credit card debt in September hit a new historic high. (Source)
Retail trade and food services remained flat. (Source)
In August the Manufacturing PMI® rose to 47.2% from 46.8% in July, but the sector remained in contraction for the fifth month. New orders, production and employment continued to decline, while prices increased and exports and imports contracted. Five industries, including food and electronics, grew, while 12 sectors contracted. Manufacturing demand remained weak due to policy and election uncertainty. Overall, 65% of manufacturing GDP contracted in August, down from 86% in July. (Source)

Economic Pulse Indicators Global:

Global GDP is expected to remain sluggish in 2024. (Source)
The United States maintains one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world. (Source)
Container rates remain at historic levels. (Source)
Japan's GDP grew by 0.7% in Q2 2024, surpassing expectations, driven by strong private consumption and a rebound in business investment, despite a slight drag from net trade. (Source)
The British economy grew by 0.6% in Q2 2024, with services leading the expansion, while production and construction slightly declined and government consumption and household spending increased, offsetting a drop in business investment and net trade. (Source)
The German economy unexpectedly contracted by 0.1% in Q2 2024, reversing from 0.2% growth in Q1, primarily due to declining investments in equipment and buildings amid high interest rates, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of no growth. (Source)

China's annual inflation rate rose to 0.6% in August, the highest since February (Source). In August China's producer prices fell by 1.8% year-on-year, marking the 23rd consecutive month of deflation, driven by weak domestic demand and lower global commodity prices, with the decline steeper than July's 0.8% drop and exceeding market forecasts of a 1.4% fall. (Source). Consumer confidence remains near an all-time low, (Source) and the property market continues to falter. (Source)

What We Are Reading:

Congressman Thompson expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Brad Onorato, a dedicated public servant and vital team member for 34 years, who was beloved by the community and considered family. (Source)
According to the newest Ciatti report, the 2024 grape harvest in California’s Central Valley is progressing on schedule, but white-grape tonnages are lower than average, increasing demand for varieties such as pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc and chardonnay. Red-grape demand remains limited, with many vineyards uncontracted, leading to continued vineyard removals. In Napa Valley, premium wines such as cabernet sauvignon offer strong export opportunities despite overall sluggishness in the bulk wine market. (Source)
Sbragia Family Vineyards in Sonoma County has closed its tasting room and is up for sale due to low visitation, which has been a broader issue across Wine Country. Despite the winery's historical roots and its reputation for high-quality cabernet sauvignon, its location off the beaten path contributed to the decline in foot traffic. Private equity firm Bacchus Capital Management, which controls Sbragia, is seeking a buyer to potentially reopen and revitalize the business. (Source)
The movie “Sideways” significantly impacted California's Santa Ynez Valley, boosting tourism, wine sales and local businesses, particularly with its promotion of pinot noir, but also causing some challenges for locals; two decades later, the region has evolved into a diverse wine and culinary destination, blending its rustic charm with modern luxury. (Source)
A study found that the diabetes drug metformin slowed brain aging and preserved cognition in male monkeys, suggesting potential anti-aging benefits in humans, though further research is needed. (Source)
A new study warns that existing climate models are underestimating the length of future droughts, particularly in North America and southern Africa, which may endure longer dry spells than previously projected, highlighting the need for updated climate assessments and policy actions. (Source)
Napa Valley Features Graphic
A study found that 90% of young corals bred using IVF survived a record marine heatwave, significantly outperforming older corals, highlighting the potential of genetic diversity in coral restoration to temporarily mitigate climate change impacts. (Source)
Recent trends indicate that young women are increasingly identifying as liberal, especially on issues such as the environment and abortion, while women in Africa continue to face significant gender power imbalances. Meanwhile, challenges in the workplace, such as underemployment and leadership engagement, are contributing to hidden costs for women globally. In the United States, women have become more likely to identify as liberal compared to men over the past decade, though there has been a slight retreat from this trend in recent years. (Source)
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed new laws aimed at curbing the use of AI-generated deepfakes in political ads, making it illegal to create or distribute such materials around elections and requiring social-media platforms to remove them, with additional measures for transparency in political campaigns using AI. (Source)
A study reveals that AI chatbots, like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, consume significant power and water for cooling data centers, contributing to hidden environmental costs with each query, such as the energy required to generate a 100-word email. (Source)