HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 21-083 Establishing Suicide Prevention PolicyRESOLUTION NO.21-083
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF SARATOGA ESTABLISHING A
SUICIDE PREVENTION POLICY
WHEREAS, the City of Saratoga recognizes that suicide is a public health issue,
evidenced by data from County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services that shows that after a
three-year decline in the suicide rate in the County, suicide rates increased in 2018 and 2019; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saratoga seeks to support the strategies recommended by the
Santa Clara County Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan; and
WHEREAS, educating the community on suicide risk factors, warning signs, how to
report threats of suicide or those showing signs of becoming at risk, and removing the stigma about
mental health treatment, recovery, and resiliency is an important step in addressing suicide as a
public health issue; and
WHEREAS, the Suicide Prevention Policy formalizes a process by which general
resources are shared and safe messaging best practices are followed when communicating with
employees and the community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Saratoga hereby
adopts the attached Suicide Prevention Policy.
The above and foregoing resolution was passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Saratoga
City Council held on the 151h day of December 2021, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
ATTEST:
COUNCIL MEMBERS BERNALD, KUMAR, ZHAO, VICE MAYOR
FITZSIMMONS, MAYOR WALIA
NONE
NONE
NONE
L?`�
Britt Avrit, MMC, City Clerk
Tina Walia, Mayor
DATE:
Resolution 21-083
Page 2
CITY OF SARATOGA SUICIDE PREVENTION POLICY
Adopted December 15, 2021, via Resolution 21-083
I. Purpose
The policy reflects an ongoing commitment to increase awareness of suicide a public health
problem. The framework in this policy promotes the planning, implementation, and
evaluation of strategies for suicide prevention and intervention, as well as encouraging
mental health care.
II. Policy
This policy shall advance current strategies and best practices of County of Santa Clara
Behavior Health Services, National Council for Behavioral Health, National Alliance on
Mental Illness, and the World Health Organization.
This policy shall call for the collaboration between the City of Saratoga and local and
regional organizations to provide information to employees and residents to gain a better
understanding of the causes of suicide, learn the appropriate methods for identifying those at
risk, and learn how to report threats of suicide or those showing signs of becoming at risk for
to the appropriate authorities.
The City will promote strategies of the Santa Clara County Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan
and resources provided by the County as well as the Suicide Prevention Resource Center
under the following guiding framework:
City Employees: Annually, the City Manager or the City Manager's designee will share
information with employees that helps staff gain a better understanding of the causes of
suicide and learn the appropriate methods for identifying and preventing the loss of life. The
Human Resources Division will work with the County of Santa Clara Behavior Health
Services to ensure information shared reflects current research. Additionally, the City shall
provide a copy of this policy to all employees.
City Facilities: The City Manager or City Manager's designee will develop public safety
protocols governing a response to a suicide attempt on City facilities and will ensure that
those protocols are reviewed annually. This review of protocols will seek to update internal
procedures and address any needed support for employees that may witness such events. The
City Manager or the City Manager's designee will further ensure an appropriate
communications strategy is in place if a suicide attempt occurs in a City facility The
communication strategy will reflect the best practices for reporting on suicide, as provided
by the County.
Community: The City will link to the County of Santa Clara Behavior Health Services and
actively collaborate with the County to disseminate information, including event information
and resources as they become available. The City Council will also raise awareness by
recognizing National Suicide Prevention Month annually in September.