Suicide Prevention Initiative

If you need immediate help, please call:
Merced County 24/7 Help Line:  
1-888-334-0163
or
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
CALL, TEXT OR CHAT 988

Suicide Prevention Hope Awareness Ribbon-Teal and Purple
Merced County's Suicide Prevention Initiative, launched in May 2018, to educate about suicide prevention, to outreach to county residents and to work together to build a Suicide Safer Community. The goal of this initiative is to save lives by raising public awareness and educating communities.  Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) conducts Suicide Prevention activities and presentations throughout the year. 
View the Suicide Prevention presentation below. Download a PDF copy of the presentation
2021-Suicide Prevention Month Proclamation

Suicide Prevention in Merced County

Click on the Proclamation above or here to view the 2021 Proclamation of Suicide Prevention Month.
Visit the Suicide Prevention Events Page to view photos of our Suicide Prevention efforts.

Merced County's ongoing Suicide Prevention Initiative efforts will be held in cooperation with our community partners and local schools, and will be designed to inform individuals about suicide risks and warning signs and to ask them to make the Suicide Prevention Pledge to:

  • Tell someone if you need help
  • Be aware of the suicide warning signs in others
  • Ask directly about suicide if you are worried about someone
  • Listen without judgment and do what you can to keep them safe

The semicolon (;)

The semicolon (;) is one of the key symbols of suicide prevention and of the Merced County Initiative. A semicolon is used when a sentence could have been ended, but it wasn't.  

Your story is not over ; 
Keep writing your story

Links and Resources

If you have any questions about the Suicide Prevention Initiative, please email MHSA@co.merced.ca.us or call 209-381-6800.