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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: AUGUST 17, 2015
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: LES WHITE, INTERIM TOWN MANAGER
MEETING DATE: 08/18/15
ITEM NO: 3
DESK ITEM
SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A SUICIDE PREVENTION POLICY
REMARKS:
The Town received the attached correspondence on this item which includes:
• Suicide data (same as Attachment 1)
• City of Palo Alto's Suicide Prevention Policy
• City of Mountain View's Suicide Prevention Policy, Council report, and slides
• Valley Medical Center brochure regarding Suicide Prevention and Crisis
Attachments (Previously received with August 18 2015 Staff Report
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
Attachments received with this Desk Item•
4. Correspondence received prior to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 18, 2015
PREPARED BY: LAUREL R. PREVETTI �e, l< 4i D Assistant Town Manager /C 7 mmunity Development Director
Keviewed by: N/A Assistant Town Manager 0, III Town Attorney A 1,i Finance
N: \MGR \AdminWorkFilesQ015 Council Reports \August 18 \Suicide Policy desk item.doc
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From:
The Ojakian <oakian @comcast.net>
Sent:
Sunday, August 16, 2015 4:42 PM
To:
Council
Cc:
Laurel Prevetti; Janette Judd; Town Manager; Chris Miller; Mike Wasserman; Joe
Pirzynski Home
Subject:
Adopting a Suicide Prevention Policy
Attachments:
Palo Alto suicide prevention policy 2010.doc; Mountain View Item 7.01 - Sucicide
Prevention PolicyJuly 2012.pdf, Presentationl.pdf; 8084 Revised 5.20.pdf
Dear Town Council and Interim Town Manager;
I will be attending your Tuesday August 18 Town Council Meeting speaking in support Agenda Item #3. 1 concur with
town staff recommendation to adopt a resolution to establish a Suicide Prevention Policy.
To date two Santa Clara County cities — Palo Alto and Mt. View -- have adopt a similar suicide prevention policy (they are
attached), so this request is not unique to Los Gatos. What does make Los Gatos's participation important is the high
rate of suicides in Los Gatos, as shown in the staff report chart. I am attaching pdf file also. Though the staff report
mention law enforcement efforts, which is commendable, more than just police training is need if lives are to be saved.
The need for a suicide prevention policy was recommended in Strategy #4 of the Santa Clara County Suicide Prevention
Strategic Plan httos: / /www_sccaov org/ sites /mh,1 Providers( SuicidePrevention /DocumentslSuicide Prevention -
Strate2ic-Plan- final- Draft- for -BOS- 5 pdf approved in 2010. As stated on page 75, it is important to have" I legislative
and policy changes in governments and institutions, with a goal of convincing as many systems as possible to play key
roles in suicide prevention."
Similar recent efforts with Santa Clara County's school districts has had twenty -six of the thirty -two school districts
adopt student suicide prevention policies and administrative regulations. Recently the California State Superintendent of
Public Education Tom Torlakson issued a letter requesting all California school districts and charter schools replicate this
work and adopt a student suicide prevention policy.
Please know that Santa Clara County provides a free online suicide awareness training — Question, Persuade and Refer
(QPR) — like CPR for Santa Clara County residents. Besides the county resource page mentioned in the staff report, I am
attaching a resource brochure that includes several county resources.
Besides Chris Miller and myself, on Tuesday, you may expect other speakers talking in support of this resolution and
policy, including some Los Gatos parents who lost children to suicide.
Thank you for your consideration on this matter,
Vic Ojakian
ATTACHMENT 4
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Suicide Prevention Policy and Mental Health Promotion
Seatember 22, 2010
Background
The Palo Alto City Council and City Administration understand the concern that
suicide poses to its residents and employees /employers. Within that framework,
the City shall adopt suicide prevention strategies and intervention procedures.
These policy and procedures will be compatible with the Santa Clara County
Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan that was adopted by the Santa Clara County
Board of Supervisors on August 24, 2010. To meet these goals, mental health
care shall be promoted and there shall be support for community members in
need.
Suicide Prevention Policy
This policy shall advance current strategies and best practices as designated by
the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, a national agency promoting the
national suicide prevention plan, and the California Suicide Prevention Plan.
This policy promotes planning, implementing, and evaluating strategies for
suicide prevention and intervention and encouraging mental health care.
This will be accomplished by City staff and residents gaining a better
understanding about the causes of suicide and learning appropriate methods for
identifying and preventing loss of life. The policy and procedures will include
training in identifying those at risk (gatekeeper training) and how to report suicide
threats to the appropriate parental and professional authorities.
This policy shall provide for active collaboration on similar work by the Palo Alto
Unified School district and other local and regional authorities, including Santa
Clara County government. This policy shall advance current strategies, including
but not limited to, parent education, youth outreach, mental health support of
students, means reduction, youth mental health screenings, and grief support
amongst other actions.
The implementation of this policy (and related procedures), supports initiatives
and actions taken by the community task force, Project Safety Net, or any future
similar committee. Their activities will be agreed upon, implemented and
evaluated.
A strong and effective educational program promote the healthy mental,
emotional, and social development of residents and employees /employers
including, but not limited to, understanding of problem - solving skills, coping skills,
and resilience. Additionally, an easily accessible list of mental health and suicide
prevention resources shall be maintained.
The City Manager or his /her designee shall establish a crisis intervention plan
and procedures to ensure public safety and appropriate communications in the
event that a suicide occurs or an attempt is made by an individual in the City of
Palo Alto. The City Manager will explore how this policy relates to the City's
Emergency Crisis Plan.
The City of Palo Alto Administration shall ensure that all staff members have
been issued a copy of this suicide prevention policy and related procedures. All
staff are responsible for knowing and acting upon them.
Funds to implement this policy shall be provided, when available, and shall be
sought through private donations, grant applications and other sources of outside
funding. Additional funding will also be sought through partnership with the Palo
Alto Unified School District and other agencies with expertise in this area.
This policy shall be reviewed annually to confirm compliance and to make any
necessary revisions.
BACK - ,ROUND AND ANALYSIS
On December 7, 2010, the City Council adopted a Resolution (Attachment 1) in support of
the Santa Clara County Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan. At the time of adoption, the City
Council also approved action to consider the development of a Suicide Prevention Policy in
the context of the goal- setth- g process for Fiscal'`ear 2011 -12. During goal-setting, adop-
tion;of a Suicide Prevention Policy was approved as part of a health - and wellness- related
major Council goal for Fiscal Year 2011-12.
During Fiscal Year 2011 -12, staff worked with thf
Department and the City of Palo Alto to understi
ences and identify best practices related to suicid
these meetings formed the development of the d7
prevention and implements best practices for me
organization and the commuri ty.
Clara County Mental Health
"rent trends, learn from their experi-
ention. The information learned from
icy. The policy supports suicide
alth awareness for the City
TI-ds suicide prevention policy advances current strategies and best practices as designated by
the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, a national agency promoting the National Suicide
Prevention Man, the California Suicide Prevention Plan and the Santa Clara County Suicide
Prevention Strategic flan. To date, the Cities of San Jose and Palo Alto have adopted policies
endorsing the County plan. Moreover, Palo Alto passed a policy statement that supports the
suicide prevention efforts under way (Project Safety Net). Subsequent to adoption of the
Council policy, staff will develop an administration instruction under the City Manager 's
AGENDA: July 3, 2012
PAGE: 2
authority that will provide administrative and operational guidance to the organization
related to suicide prevention. The administrative instruction will be completed during the
first half of Fiscal Year 2012 -13.
According to Santa Clara County's Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan, Mountain View has had
a total of 49 deaths by suicide between 2000 to 2006. This is a rate of 9.73 per 100,000 residents.
Mountain View is in a similar rate pattern as that of the Cities of Los Gatos, Morgan Hill,
Saratoga and Sunnyvale and is ranked sixth place for deaths by suicide in the County.
According to the Santa Clara County Coroner's report, the County qualified 152 deaths by
suicides in 2010.
The suicide prevention policy provides for employee education, suicide prevention commu-
nity messaging and education, and collaboration with schools and other local and regional
organizations to prevent loss of life by suicide. It supports the County's efforts and imple-
ments best practice public information sharing. The policy attempts to blend with existing
City practices and requires coordination amongst City departments and outside agencies to
further advance suicide prevention strategies through a variety of communication channels
and awareness throughout the organization and the community.
Anticipated outcomes of the policy include:
• Training of City staff to better understand the causes of suicide and learn appropriate
methods for identifying those at risk and preventing loss of life by suicide;
• Promotion of suicide prevention and education concerning available mental health
resources;
• Collaboration to advance similar work promoted by local schools and other local and
regional organizations; and
• Standardizing public information sharing to align with suicide prevention recom-
mended best practices.
CONCLUSION
The City provides programs and services to the public and should support suicide prevention
efforts, be prepared to respond to suicide attempts, threats and support survivors. The adop-
tion of the resolution in December 2010 conveyed the City of Mountain View's support of the
Santa Clara County Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan. The City Council directed staff to
develop and implement a suicide prevention policy as a council goal for Fiscal Year 2011 -12.
The policy before the Council for consideration provides for employee education, community
suicide prevention messaging and education, policy alignment, supports the County's efforts
and public information sharing according to best practices.
AGENDA: July 3, 2012
PAGE: 3
PUBLIC NOTICING— Agenda posting.
Prepared by:
,Kimberly Castro
Youth Resources Manager
Reviewed b�y:
Kevin Woodhouse
Deputy City Manager
KC /5 /CAM
607- 07- 03- 12M -EA
Approved by:
ich h
Daniel H. R
City Manager
Attachment: 1. Resolution No. 17563 —In Support of the Santa Clara County Suicide
Prevention Strategic Plan
2. Resolution and Council Policy K -19
4ttachntent .1
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY
SUICIDE PREVENTION STRATEGIC PLAN
WHEREAS, Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher, in his 1999 "Call to Action to
Prevent Suicide," stated suicide in the United States is a serious public health issue and
the most preventable form of death; and
WHEREAS, the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention Goals and Objectives for
Action promotes "increasing the proportion of family, youth and community service providers
and organizations with evidence -based suicide prevention programs " (Objective 4.7); and
WHEREAS, Mountain View lost 49 individuals in recent years to suicide, and
many other residents attempt suicide or express suicidal thoughts; and
WHEREAS, almost all Santa Clara County cities annually have residents of all
races, gender, ages and other social characteristics either express, attempt or die by
suicide, affecting many members of our communities, making this a community matter
requiring collective action; and
WHEREAS, it is essential to support the Santa Clara County Suicide Prevention
Strategic Plan goals to: (1) reduce deaths by suicide; (2) increase awareness and
understanding of suicidal deaths and what to do; (3) improve data collection,
monitoring and follow -up; and (4) have residents respond to a person in need; and
WHEREAS, educating people on suicide risk factors, warning signs and protective
factors and removing stigma about mental health treatment, recovery and resiliency is
enlightened action;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Mountain View hereby supports and endorses the Santa Clara County Suicide
Prevention Strategic Plan, and calls upon citizens, public and private institutions,
businesses and schools to join us in a community-wide vision to prevent death by
suicide and create a healthier and safer community.
AYES: Councilmembers Abe -Koga, Inks, Kasperzak, Macias, Means,
Vice Mayor Siegel and Mayor Bryant
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
NOT VOTING: None
ATTEST: APPROVED:
ACTING CITY CLERK
KC /7 /RESO
607- 12 -07- TOR -EA
I do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was
passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of
Mountain View at a Regular Meeting held on the 7th day
of December, 2010, by the foregoing vote,
Acting City CIerk
City of Mountain View
Attachment 2
CITY OF MOUNTAIN VIEW
RESOLUTION NO.
SERIES 2012
A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING CITY COUNCIL POLICY K -19
CONCERNING SUICIDE PREVENTION
WHEREAS, on December 7, 2010, the City Council passed a resolution to support
the Santa Clara County Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan; and
WHEREAS, adoption of a Suicide Prevention Policy was approved as part of a
health- and wellness- related major City Council goal for Fiscal Year 2011 -12; and
WHEREAS, Santa Clara County has lost 140 individuals in recent years to suicide,
and many other residents attempt suicide or express suicidal thoughts, making this a
significant public health issue; and
WIIEREAS, this policy shall advance current strategies and best practices as desig-
nated by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, a national agency promoting the
National Suicide Prevention Plan, the California Suicide Prevention Plan and the Santa
Clara County Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan; and
WHEREAS, this policy calls for employee education, community suicide preven-
tion messaging and education, policy alignment, supports the County's efforts and
public information sharing according to best practices;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT BE RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Mountain View, hereby adopts City Council Policy K -19, "Suicide Prevention;' attached
to this resolution, and calls upon all citizens, government agencies, public and private
institutions, businesses and schools to join us to prevent death by suicide and create a
healthier and safer community.
KC /5 /RESO
607-07-03-12R.-EA
CITY COUNCIL POLICY REVISED:
Effective Date: Resolution No.
SUBJECT: SUICIDE PREVENTION
PURPOSE:
NO: K -19
To establish a policy for suicide prevention strategies for the City organization and the
community. This policy is compatible with the Santa Clara County Suicide Prevention
Strategic Plan that was adopted by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on
August 24, 2010.
POLICY:
The City shall provide educational opportunities for City staff to gain a better
understanding about the causes of suicide and learn appropriate methods for
identifying and preventing loss of life by suicide.
2. The City shall use existing communication methods to promote suicide prevention
awareness and encourage use of available mental health resources.
3. The City shall collaborate and align its suicide prevention strategies with relevant
core service providers.
4. The City shall collaborate with the Santa Clara County Mental Health Department
and other relevant organizations for the purpose of preventing loss of life by
suicide.
5. The City Manager or his /her designee shall establish procedures for sharing
public information related to suicide occurrences or suicide attempts in the City.
CNLPOL
K19- 607CPA
Page 1 of 1
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