Taking Steps to Help San Diegans Live Well

[From left to right, starting with back row] HHSA Director Nick Macchione is joined by Karen Ventimiglia (BHS), Beth Sise (Suicide Prevention Council Co-Chair), Sabrena Marshall (BHS), Debra Fitzgerald (Office of Health Systems Innovation), Mental Health Director Alfredo Aguirre, Strategic Planning and Operational Support Director Dale Fleming, and from AdEase [marketing agency contracted to produce It’s Up to Us campaign]: Rob Davis (guest), Leah Rodig, Richelle Brown, Kelly Hollifield, Jana Sczersputowski, Traci Miller, Helen Burdett, and furry friends. BHS Director Jennifer Schaffer, Edward Bacerra and Lupita Castro-Zuniga also participated but were not present for the photo.

Did you know…?

- In San Diego County, almost one person commits suicide each day.

- Suicide is the second-leading cause of non-natural deaths for all ages in San Diego County.

- From 1998 to 2009, suicide took the lives of 3,991 San Diegans.

- Suicide rate among veterans is four times higher than the general population.

- Suicide is preventable.         

Taking the Behavioral Health Service’s “It’s Up to Us” campaign message to the sidewalk, HHSA staff showed their support for suicide prevention by joining the Save a Life Walk, on Sunday, November 13, in Balboa Park. HHSA Director Nick Macchione kicked things off with opening remarks. Dale Fleming, Director of HHSA’s Strategic Planning and Operational Support division, joined Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Director Jennifer Schaffer, Mental Health Director Alfredo Aguirre, and a number of HHSA staff for the fundraising walk. In addition to exceeding their goal by raising $1,095, they hope to raise awareness, and ultimately prevent individuals from taking their own lives. Total event donations exceeded $67,000. The Save a Life San Diego Community Walk is a partnership between the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program and Survivors of Suicide Loss—San Diego, two programs that offer suicide outreach and prevention programs and survivor support services for all San Diegans. The event also included a remembrance tent, resource fair and the release of 80 white doves. For more information, visit BHS’s It’s Up to Us team page.