As many of you know, a portion of MHSA funds were held at the State level for 'initiative-specific' Statewide Projects. These projects include Suicide Prevention, Stigma Reduction and School-based MH Initiatives.

We want to make you aware of the state-wide media campaign focused on Suicide Prevention that is being launched this month through the CalMHSA Statewide Prevention & Early Intervention efforts. The Know the Signs campaign will be publicized in magazines, online, on billboards, television and cable channels between November and February 2013 and will reach every county throughout the State of California.

The campaign is intended to prepare the public to prevent suicide by directing them to the website: www.suicideispreventable.org and encouraging the public to know the warning signs for suicide, find the words to offer help to someone they are concerned about, and reach out to local resources.

The local resources that are listed on the website for Ventura County include: The Ventura County Crises Team, Children's Intensive Response Team (CIRT) and 211. In addition, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, which is coordinated out of Los Angeles is also listed as a resource.

We will continue to keep you informed as additional components to the Statewide Projects are implemented. As always, thank you for your continued support and dedication to the community we all serve.

Susan Kelly, MFT
Ventura County Behavioral Health
Youth & Family and Prevention & Early Intervention Division Manager