Resources Offered To Those Struggling With Mental Health In This Bay Area County

MARIN COUNTY, CA — The health and human services department held a panel Wednesday in Marin County to encourage people struggling with mental health issues to ask for help using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

“Suicide prevention is for all of us. I believe everyone wants to help, but they may not know how. That’s where we come in as an agency and partner,” Dr. Todd Schirmer, Marin County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services director, told Patch. “Asking kind and direct questions, ‘Are you having thoughts of hurting yourself,’ or ‘What do you need in this moment?’ can go a long way to reducing someone’s anxiety and fostering a sense of belonging to someone who feels alone. Pain is not always obvious from the outside.”

The Marin County Department of Health and Human Services collaborated with the Marin County Suicide Prevention Collaborative to feature the panel discussion.

“The panel is one part of the overall evening honoring the last five years since the launch of the Marin County Suicide Prevention Collaborative and review their accomplishments,” Dr. Schirmer told Patch.

As part of the panel, attendees heard testimonials from BHRS Supervisor Kellianne Markovich, Buckelew Programs Case Manager Hilda Castillo, and MCSPC youth action team member Gabby Agpar, each of whom lost friends or family members to suicide.

“This panel is a discussion using the power of storytelling to share our lived experiences, both professionally and personally, as we address this complex health issue together. Along with our speakers, we enjoyed connecting with one another through art and food and honoring those lost by suicide,” Dr. Schirmer told Patch.

In 2024, Marin County experienced 37 deaths by suicide, translating to a rate of 14 deaths per 100,000 residents, according to the MCSPC and the University of Wisconsin’s Population Health Institute. This local rate matches the national average of 14 suicides per 100,000 people, while California as a whole reported a lower rate of 10 suicides per 100,000, officials said.

Marin County BHRS mental health and substance use treatment and services work closely with the Collaborative to ensure best practices for suicide prevention care addressing prevention, intervention and postvention after a suicide, Dr. Schirmer told Patch. They work to coordinate alongside many community-based partners to create awareness through training/education, campaigns and data, Dr. Schirmer told Patch.

Community members can learn more here and register here for upcoming events.

Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for mental health, emotional distress, and substance use concerns.