Staff ReportAWN OF
MEETING DATE: 08/18/15
QI ITEM NO:
SOS cap °S COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: AUGUST 12, 2015
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: LES WHITE, INTERIM TOWN MANAG
SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A SUICIDE PREVENTION POLICY
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Town Council adopt a resolution to establish a Suicide Prevention
Policy,
BACKGROUND:
Certain Town of Los Gatos employees (primarily in the Police Department) have been trained to
respond to persons with suicidal intentions and mental health conditions in a sensitive and
appropriate way. These skills have been used to prevent suicides throughout the Town, including in
and around Town facilities.
While these efforts are admirable, Los Gatos resident Chris Miller requested that the Town adopt a
Suicide Prevention Policy due to the high rate of suicide in Los Gatos (see Attachment 1). Council
Member Leonardis requested the item be placed on a Council agenda.
DISCUSSION:
On August 24, 2010, the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors adopted the Santa Clara
County Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan. The Plan identifies specific action items for populations
of different ages, tailored to their needs. The Plan also called for governance advocacy, such as
local governments adopting suicide prevention policies.
Since then, Palo Alto and Mountain View have adopted policies regarding suicide prevention.
These policies provided the basis for a draft resolution to establish a Suicide Prevention Policy for
the Town of Los Gatos (see Attachment 2).
PREPARED BY: LAUREL R. PREVETTI
Assistant Town Manager /Co munity Development Director
Reviewed by: N/A Assistant Town Manager t' Town Attorney .� Finance
N:AMGRVAdminWorkFiles\2015 Council RepoilsVAugust 18 \Suicide Policy Mcmo.doc
PAGE
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: SUICIDE PREVENTION POLICY
AUGUST l2, 2015
Since then, Palo Alto and Mountain View have adopted policies regarding suicide prevention.
These policies provided the basis for a draft resolution to establish a Suicide Prevention Policy for
the Town of Los Gatos (see Attachment 2).
Free training and other resources on this topic are available from the County of Santa Clara
Department of Mental Health: httns: / /www.seeg )v.org/sites/lilhd/Resources/SP/Pages/default.asLix
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Council adopt a resolution to establish a Suicide Prevention Policy.
COORDINATION:
This staff report was coordinated with the Town Attorney's Office.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
Attachments:
1. Suicide Data (source: Santa Clara County Department of Mental Health)
2. Draft Resolution
3. Public Comments received through 11:00 a.m. Thursday August 13, 2015