County marks Suicide Prevention Week as staff describe shifting funding and services

The Solano County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution recognizing National Suicide Prevention Week and heard staff and community members describe local prevention work, funding changes and the human impacts behind the statistics.

A public-health presenter explained that Proposition 1 (2024) allocated suicide-prevention funds to the California Department of Public Health and the county is transitioning coordination of prevention efforts from behavioral health to public health. The presenter said this shift emphasizes community prevention, coalition building and systems-level work.

"39 people in Solano have died by suicide this year, which is 39 too many," the presenter told the board. Behavioral-health staff and two county employees shared personal accounts during the presentation. Charlene Noveres described her family's experience and quoted a text she received from her son during a crisis: "I'm sorry, mom. This is too much for me. I'm going to try to kill myself." She credited responders and community supports with helping her son recover and urged sustained services and post-crisis support.

Kelly Welsh from county counsel and other staff recognized the work of behavioral-health teams and crisis responders. The board approved the resolution unanimously and county staff highlighted helpline contacts and a local Solano mobile crisis number for people in immediate need.