As Suicide Awareness Month comes to a close, here’s what you need to know about resources and community events in Riverside County.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — “I wish I would have said something.”
These are words of a young girl who lost her friend to suicide that Rebecca Antillon says she will never forget.
About 15 years ago, Riverside County started seeing an uptick in suicide rates, so Antillon, a program director for the county’s Injury Prevention Services, sat down to watch a mother who lost her daughter to suicide speak about her experience.
“It really impacted me, of course, like I think it would anyone just hearing her share her story of missing those warning signs; of not knowing how to talk to her daughter about suicide and all the things she was going to miss,” Antillon told Patch.
Then the girl’s friends spoke. Their words impacted Antillon the most.
“They were visibly upset,” she said. “They had noticed changes in their friends and they didn’t understand.”
Tracking Suicide In Riverside County
Today, Antillon is the co-lead of the county’s Suicide Prevention Coalition, where she works to educate Riverside County residents about available resources and particularly about the warning signs of loved ones who may be struggling with suicide ideation.
The coalition also tracks and publishes local data.
While suicide is one of the top 5 leading causes of death in Riverside County in residents under 40, Antillon says suicide rates have actually decreased by 16%, according to data recorded between 2018 and 2022.
But suicide rates still disproportionately affect certain populations like white men and veterans.
- Suicide deaths were higher among men while suicide attempts were higher among females.
- Adults aged 25 to 64 made up a larger percentage of suicide deaths but adults 65 and older had the highest rate of suicide deaths in 2022.
- Suicide by firearm was the most common method for men, while poison was the most common means among women.
- Veteran suicides accounted for 16% of all suicide deaths.
- Suicide ideation was higher among female youth and nearly half of LGBTQ youth had considered suicide in the last year.
Raising Awareness About Suicide
The coalition also organizes events centering on education and awareness. The next one will mark the last weekend of Suicide Prevention Awareness month. Riverside residents can participate in the Out of Darkness Walk on at 9 a.m. Saturday in Fairmount Park, which is located at 2601 Fairmount Blvd. The walk will offer opportunities for residents to connect, share stories and honor those lost to suicide.
And annually for the past three years, the coalition has hosted a Suicide Prevention Coalition Conference, where law enforcement, educators, healthcare workers, first responders and those working at youth-serving agencies can listen to keynote speakers, panel discussions, trainings and more. The event is also open to the public.
Antillon said that this year’s conference is already at capacity, but those interested can still livestream the event at 9 a.m. on Thursday; just visit this link.
Resources In Riverside County
To keep suicide rates on their downward trend countywide, Antillon encourages residents to educate themselves on local resources.
“Many who are experiencing thoughts of suicide may feel scared or ashamed to tell someone,” she said. “The best thing we can do is educate our selves and really encourage everyone to learn to recognize the signs of suicide. Then, more importantly, how to ask direct questions and connect the person to the additional resources and support that can help them further.”
That’s why the county is offering free suicide prevention training to anyone who is interested. Find more information about that here.
Riverside County also has a local helpline for anyone in crisis or those struggling with suicide ideation. The number is 951-686-HELP (4357).
Antillon says the local helpline has trained workers can help deescalate a crisis. What’s more, they have access to 211, a resource and referral line, allowing crisis workers to look through a database to offer additional resources on that call. If the person is actively contemplating suicide and immediate support is needed, workers can connect them to a mobile crisis team that can go talk to them in person.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is also available at 800-273-8255 or 988.
Across Riverside County, there are also three mental health urgent care centers that are available 24/7.
“They will see people regaurdless of their insurance,” she said.
Two of the centers also offer support to those 13 and older. Find locations here.
At the end of the day Antillon emphasized that lowering suicide rates really comes down to strengthening support systems and finding community.
During the month of September, Antillon says the county has supported the state’s awareness campaign “Love Over Loneliness.”
“We know that one of the best protective factors that we can put in place is a strong support system and that’s a support system that can offer us comfort, security and even connection,” she said. “And that doesn’t have to be just what we consider traditional family. It’s friends, peers…your support system can also include your faith-based community. It can also include activities that offer you a sense of belonging and connection.”
