RESOLUTION NO. _____
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA IN
SUPPORT OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY SUICIDE PREVENTION
STRATEGIC PLAN (THE PLAN) AND APPROVAL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA CLARA SUICIDE PREVENTION POLICY AND MENTAL
HEALTH PROMOTION
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA AS FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, the Surgeon General, Dr. David Satcher, issued a landmark report in 1999 titled, "The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent Suicide," which stated that 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"; and, WHEREAS, from 2018 – 2021, Santa Clara County has lost an average of 158 individuals per year to suicide, and a far greater number of County residents attempt suicide or express suicidal thoughts, making this a significant public health issue locally; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Clara supports the Santa Clara County Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan (The Plan), adopted by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors in August 2010, and revised in March 2011, with goals to (1) reduce the number of 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, the Santa Clara City Council and City Administration understand the concern that suicide poses to their residents and employees/employers. Within that framework, the City shall adopt suicide prevention strategies and intervention procedures. These policies and procedures will be compatible with The Plan. This policy promotes planning, implementing, and evaluating strategies to identify and prevent loss of life, encourages mental health care, takes steps to remove the stigma around seeking mental health treatment and provides support mechanisms to individuals impacted by suicide.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1 : That a new Section ____ is added to the Council Policy Manual titled “Suicide Prevention Policy and Mental Health Promotion” and to read as follows:
The Santa Clara City Council and City Administration understand the concern that suicide poses to their residents and employees/employers. Within that framework, the City’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) shall adopt a suicide prevention policy . This policy and accompanying procedures will be compatible with the Santa Clara County Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan that was adopted by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors in August 2010, and revised in March 2011. To meet these goals, mental health care shall be promoted and supported for community members and employees/employers in need.
This policy shall be consistent with the 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 to identify and prevent loss of life, encourages mental health care, takes steps to remove the stigma around seeking mental health treatment and provides support mechanisms to individuals impacted by suicide.
Departments throughout the City have inventoried existing community and employee resources and contributed to a preliminary plan to increase training in identifying those at risk and how to report suicide threats to the appropriate professional s. A strong and effective educational program to 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 will be established and maintained.
This policy may also provide for active collaboration with the Santa Clara Unified School District and other local and regional authorities, including Santa Clara County government. This policy may include parent education, youth outreach, mental health support of students, and grief support amongst other actions.
The City’s OES manager or his/her designee shall explore how this policy relates to the City’s Emergency Operations Plan.
SECTION 2: Ordinances Repealed. With exception of the provisions protected by the savings clause, all ordinances (or parts of ordinances) in conflict with or inconsistent with this ordinance are hereby repealed.
SECTION 3: S avings clause. The changes provided for in this ordinance shall not affect any offense or act committed or done or any penalty or forfeiture incurred or any right established or accruing before the effective date of this ordinance; nor shall it affect any prosecution, suit or proceeding pending or any judgment rendered prior to the effective date of this ordinance. All fee schedules shall remain in force until superseded by the fee schedules adopted by the City Council.
SECTION 4: E
ffective date. This ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after its final adoption; however, prior to its final adoption it shall be published in accordance with the requirements of Section 808 and 812 of “The Charter of the City of Santa Clara, California.”
PASSED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PUBLICATION this XX day of XXXXXX, 2022, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILORS:
NOES: COUNCILORS:
ABSENT: COUNCILORS:
ABSTAINED: COUNCILORS:
ATTEST: ___________________________
NORA PIMENTEL, MMC
ASSISTANT CITY CLERK
CITY OF SANTA CLARA
Attachments incorporated by reference:
1. Santa Clara County Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan (The Plan)