Suicides were up significantly in Fresno County last month — a consequence, a top health official says, of the COVID-19 pandemic. Seventeen suicides were recorded in June. That's the most suicides for a single month in the last two-and-half years, data shows. "We saw a significant increase of completed suicides...
State Stalls, Fresno Co. Moves Ahead on Suicide Prevention
State Sen. Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) wants to help prevent suicide, especially among youth. So she authored SB 331, a bipartisan bill requiring each California county to develop a suicide prevention plan. Listen to this article: But, the bill was stopped in committee, frustrating Hurtado. “This year, the Assembly Appropriations Committee’s leadership...
Hurtado’s Bill Aims To Reduce Suicide in California
When Brandy Lidbeck was 10 years old, her mom killed herself. "It was incredibly devastating," said Lidbeck, the program coordinator for Survivors of Suicide Loss. For years, Lidbeck felt alone, ashamed and embarrassed. She constantly wondered if she bore any responsibility. "You are always questioning what if I did this or what if...
Newspapers Are to Blame for Holiday Suicide Myth
For years, the media have reported that more suicides occur during the holidays than at any other time. Many of these stories, no doubt, are meant to help people cope with the melancholy and nostalgia that some people experience at this time. Some of them include the voices of professionals,...
Newspapers Are to Blame for Holiday Suicide Myth
For years, the media have reported that more suicides occur during the holidays than at any other time. Many of these stories, no doubt, are meant to help people cope with the melancholy and nostalgia that some people experience at this time. Some of them include the voices of professionals,...