Sonoma County’s higher-than-average suicide rates to be focus of September 7 ‘Connection is Prevention’ event

Sonoma County has a problem: Suicide rates are high here.

On average, there are 73 deaths by suicide each year in Sonoma County, making it the ninth leading cause of death. The Sonoma County suicide rate of 14.3 per 100,000 residents is considerably higher than the California rate of 10.5.

“While there are likely several reasons for the higher-than-average suicide rates in Sonoma County, we know that loneliness can increase the risk for suicide, and we’re living in a very lonely time for many people,” says Melissa Ladrech, Mental Health Services Act coordinator.

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, who released a report last year on what he has named the epidemic of loneliness and isolation in our country, has been quoted as saying, “The experience of loneliness is an incredibly common one ... one in two adults in America struggles with loneliness. To really address it, we have to make social connection a priority in our lives and in society more broadly." He has also stated that feeling lonely and lacking connection can increase the risk of premature death to levels comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

In October 2022, the Sonoma County Department of Health Services, which is committed to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and providing education and training on suicide prevention, brought together community partners to create the “Life Worth Living: Sonoma County Suicide Prevention Alliance.” The Alliance has since developed a Sonoma County Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan, which includes a call to action, a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention, local data and specific strategies to reduce suicide deaths in the county. In September 2023, the Alliance also began holding annual ‘Connection is Prevention’ community events.

Three Connection is Prevention events are planned for this September to bring resources, connections and fun for the whole community. Each event is free and open to the public, will emphasize the essential role that human connections play in maintaining good mental health and nurturing a supportive community, and will offer enjoyable and informative activities for the whole family.

The first event will take place Saturday, September 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Old Court House Square in Santa Rosa. Attendees can enjoy the Bibliobus Mobile Library, Children’s Museum on the Go, free paletas, food trucks, raffle prizes, swag bags, and more. More than 35 organizations will set up tables and provide resources, and Board of Supervisors Chair David Rabbitt will present a proclamation designating September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

“It’s been very disturbing to learn how prevalent suicide and self-harm are in Sonoma County,” says Chair Rabbitt. “I hope everyone will consider attending one of these special events put on by our Behavioral Health division to celebrate mental well-being and meaningful connections.”

A flyer about the event can be found here.

The two additional Connection is Prevention events will take place as follows:

• Saturday, September 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Cloverdale Plaza, and
• Wednesday, September 25 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.  at the Hanna Center in Sonoma.

For more information about the events, contact MHSA@sonoma-county.org.

If you or someone you care about is in emotional distress or thinking about suicide, help and support are available: Call 988. For help identifying local resources, call 211.

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Media Contact:
Sheri Cardo, DHS Communications Specialist
Sheri.Cardo@sonoma-county.org 
(707) 565-8619