Board proclaims Recovery and Suicide Prevention months, spotlights local trends and services
September 01, 2026 | Santa Barbara County, California
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The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 1 adopted resolutions declaring September 2026 both National Recovery Month and Suicide Prevention Month, and invited county behavioral‑health staff to outline local trends and resources.
The proclamations were presented by the clerk and supported by the Department of Behavioral Wellness. Planning and Development staff read statistics in the resolutions noting that overdose deaths in Santa Barbara County fell from 158 in 2023 to 96 in 2024 and 93 in 2025, with fentanyl‑related deaths declining from 111 in 2023 to 46 in 2025.
"Recovery is possible in this county only because of the work of a network of individuals that are supporting each other," Melissa Wilkins, branch chief over alcohol and drug programs, told the board and thanked treatment providers she said serve about 1,500 people at a time. She also noted that the county has used opioid settlement funds to add recovery‑residence beds.
Supervisor Lavinino sponsored the recovery proclamation; staff recommended the board encourage residents to support treatment and awareness activities. For suicide prevention the board heard from Suzanne Grama and others that Santa Barbara County recorded 47 deaths by suicide in 2025 and that prevention requires community‑wide awareness and access to care. The board’s resolution directed residents to the county’s 24/7 behavioral‑health access line at (888) 868‑1649 and highlighted local prevention training (QPR) and the Out of the Darkness walk on Oct. 3 at Galeta Beach Park.
Why it matters: The proclamations both call attention to county results and to continuing needs — staff emphasized declines in some statistics but said ongoing investment and public awareness remain necessary. Officials said the resolutions are meant to reinforce funding priorities and to help direct residents to services.
The board adopted the resolutions without dissent. The county said it will share a public timeline for the technical‑assistance project by the Council of State Governments Justice Center that staff said will support care coordination for residents with behavioral‑health needs.
The proclamations were presented by the clerk and supported by the Department of Behavioral Wellness. Planning and Development staff read statistics in the resolutions noting that overdose deaths in Santa Barbara County fell from 158 in 2023 to 96 in 2024 and 93 in 2025, with fentanyl‑related deaths declining from 111 in 2023 to 46 in 2025.
"Recovery is possible in this county only because of the work of a network of individuals that are supporting each other," Melissa Wilkins, branch chief over alcohol and drug programs, told the board and thanked treatment providers she said serve about 1,500 people at a time. She also noted that the county has used opioid settlement funds to add recovery‑residence beds.
Supervisor Lavinino sponsored the recovery proclamation; staff recommended the board encourage residents to support treatment and awareness activities. For suicide prevention the board heard from Suzanne Grama and others that Santa Barbara County recorded 47 deaths by suicide in 2025 and that prevention requires community‑wide awareness and access to care. The board’s resolution directed residents to the county’s 24/7 behavioral‑health access line at (888) 868‑1649 and highlighted local prevention training (QPR) and the Out of the Darkness walk on Oct. 3 at Galeta Beach Park.
Why it matters: The proclamations both call attention to county results and to continuing needs — staff emphasized declines in some statistics but said ongoing investment and public awareness remain necessary. Officials said the resolutions are meant to reinforce funding priorities and to help direct residents to services.
The board adopted the resolutions without dissent. The county said it will share a public timeline for the technical‑assistance project by the Council of State Governments Justice Center that staff said will support care coordination for residents with behavioral‑health needs.
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