Love Over Loneliness: Suicide Prevention Month

Written By: Cloud B. at Belmont Library

September is National Suicide Prevention month, and this year's theme in San Mateo County is Love Over Loneliness. Throughout September, San Mateo County Libraries are hosting several programs for Suicide Prevention Month.

Love Over Loneliness

The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution in January declaring loneliness a public health crisis, pledging to promote social connection in our communities. According to the 2023 San Mateo County Health and Quality of Life Survey, 45% of respondents in San Mateo County were experiencing difficulty with loneliness and isolation. Now more than ever, it's important that we find ways to connect with one another. Know the signs, find the words and reach out. For more information on County efforts and programs, as well as the latest updates on free events and resources, visit their Suicide Prevention page.

Mental Health Help & Resources

We all know about 911, but how many of us know about 988? If you or someone you know needs mental health crisis support, you can call 988 for help.

The 988 dialing code operates through what was formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It's a network of over 200 locally operated and funded crisis centers around the country. 988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. 

When you call 988, you'll first hear an automated greeting message that gives you choices of who to connect with. The 988 Lifeline has specially trained counselors for veterans (through the Veterans Crisis Line, opens a new window, operated by the Veteran’s Administration), LGBTQ+ youth and adults and people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Your call is then routed to a national or local 988 Lifeline network crisis center based on your selections and phone’s area code.

A trained crisis counselor answers the phone, listens to you, works to understand how your problem is affecting you, provides support and shares resources if needed. If your local crisis center is unable to take your call, you are automatically routed to a national backup crisis center. All these services are available in English and Spanish. The 988 Lifeline uses Language Line Solutions to provide translation to callers in more than 240 additional languages.

In 2021 and 2022, the United States had one death by suicide about every 11 minutes, and more than 950,000 youth aged 12-17 and 1.6 million adults attempted suicide. While these numbers are staggering, there is hope: the 988 Lifeline helps thousands of people struggling to overcome suicidal crises or mental health-related distress every day.

Help is only 3 numbers away. Learn more about 988 with these local resources or on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website.