HomeMy WebLinkAbout85-21RESOLUTION 85-21
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS
ALTOS HILLS ADOPTING A SUICIDE PREVENTION POLICY FOR
THE TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Altos Hills recognizes suicide is a public health issue; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Altos Hills is not immune to these tragedies, suffering incidents
involving residents of all races, ages, and other social characteristics who either express, attempt,
or die by suicide. These incidents affect many members in our community malting this a
community matter requiring action; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Altos Hills desires to recognize the need to increase awareness and
understanding of suicidal deaths and actively provide information regarding the prevention of
suicide through various social media platforms; and
WHEREAS, informing the community on suicide risk factors, warning signs, how to report
threats of suicide or those showing signs of becoming at risk, and removing the stigma about
mental health treatment, recovering and resiliency, is good policy.
NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills hereby adopts the attached
Suicide Prevention Policy (Attachment A).
The above and foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted by the City Council of the Town of
Los Altos Hills at a regular meeting held on 16th of December 2021 by the following vote:
AYES: Tankha, Tyson, Molt, Schmidt, Swan
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
Deborah L. Padovan, City Clerk
go
Kavita Tankha, Mayor
Resolution 85-21 Page 1
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
Phone: (650) 941-7222
www.losaltoshills.ca.gov
Purpose
LOSALTOS HILLS
Ir "r
CALIFORNIA
Suicide Prevention Policy for Los Altos Hills
Approved by City Council December 16, 2021
This policy reflects an ongoing commitment to increase awareness of suicide as a public health
problem. The framework in this policy promotes the planning, implementation and evaluation of
strategies for suicide prevention and intervention, as well as encouraging mental health care.
Policy Scope
This policy shall advance current strategies and best practices of the Santa Clara County
Behavioral Health Services, National Council for Behavioral Health, National Alliance on Mental
Illness, and the World Health Organization.
This policy shall call for the collaboration between the Town of Los Altos Hills and local and
regional organizations, to educate employees and residents to gain a better understanding of the
causes of suicide, learning the appropriate methods for identifying those at risk, and how to
report threats of suicide or those showing signs of becoming at risk to the appropriate parental,
familial, and/or professional authorities.
The Town will promote strategies and resources provided by the County as well as the Suicide
Prevention Resource Center under the following guiding framework:
Town Employees:
The City Manager or his/her designee will share information on the Town's website that
helps people better understand the causes of suicide and learn the appropriate methods for
identifying and preventing the loss of life. The Town shall provide a copy of this policy to
all employees.
Town Facilities:
The City Manager will work with public health professionals and first responders to
develop a response to a suicide attempt on Town facilities. This review of protocols will
seek to update internal procedures and address any needed support for employees that may
witness such events. The Town's Public Information Officer will further ensure an
appropriate communications strategy is in place if a suicide attempt occurs in a Town
Resolution 85-21 Page 2
facility. The communication strategy will reflect best practices for reporting on suicide, as
shared by the County.
Town Residents:
The Town will link to the County's Behavioral Health Services webpage and actively
collaborate with the County to disseminate information including event information and
resources as they become available. The City Council will also raise awareness by
recognizing National Suicide Prevention Month (September) and supporting state and/or
federal legislation aimed at increasing awareness and reducing deaths by suicide.
General Resources For Implementation
Implementation of this policy will occur through communication with the County's Behavioral
Health Services. Employees will be provided the following resources to learn more about suicide
- prevention:
• Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services - Suicide Prevention & Crisis
www.sccbad.or /g suicideprevention
• Santa Clara County Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan
https://www.sce o� v.org,/sites/bad/Services/SP/Documents/2018/sp-strategic-plan-rev-
03-2011-final.bdf
• California Mental Health Services Authority https:Hcalmhsa.org_/
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Violence Prevention — Suicide
https://www.ede.gov/violencepreventioli/suicide/index.html
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services - Office of the Surgeon General
littps://www.hhs. og v/sur eg_ongeneral/reports-and- ublications/suicide-
revention/ind.ex.html
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center ht!ps://www.spre.org/
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention httRs://afsp.orrg
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255 (800 -273 -TALK)
• Suicide Prevention Chat Services www.SuicidePreventionLifeline.org
• Veterans Crisis Line 800-273-8255, 1, Text: 838255
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