Home
 / 
Suicide Prevention Council

Suicide Prevention Council

18 Out of 100 People

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders such as PTSD, panic attacks, phobias, and general anxiety disorder affect 18% of people in the U.S. each year, making them the most common mental health problems.

Anxiety becomes an anxiety disorder when overwhelming fear and worry prevent you from being able to live a normal life. Anxiety disorders can affect anyone and may begin at any age.

People with anxiety disorders are unable to control their own disturbing thoughts. They may start to avoid everyday situations that they fear will trigger more stress.

Anyone in Ventura County who has a question about mental health should seek help immediately, the same way you would ask for help when we have any other health question. If ignored and untreated, extreme anxiety can prevent you from being able to participate in daily life.

Worrying, Anxiety and When It’s Too Much

Everyone experiences worry in some way during daily life. You may feel understandably anxious as a reaction to ordinary urgent situations, for example, if you are running late for work. However, you may also feel anxious when you are worrying about something that may or may not happen, a threat that only exists in your imagination.

Upcoming Council Meetings

Wednesdays from 2PM to 4PM • All meetings held in-person & virtually

November 13, 2024
See Agenda >

February 5, 2025

May 7, 2025

August 6, 2025

November 5, 2025

‍

‍VISION

Ventura County Behavioral Health Suicide Prevention Council is comprised of countywide stakeholders who are dedicated to reducing suicides by offering help and hope to people of every culture, gender, and socioeconomic group throughout their lifespans.

 

MISSION

Our purpose is to promote help and hope to everyone at risk or affected by suicide. We engage in collaborative dialogue to raise public awareness, identify resources, and provide education, and we strive to support innovative suicide prevention and intervention initiatives.

 

JOIN US

If you are interested in joining the VCBH Suicide Prevention Council, to request a presentation, training, and/or for more information, please email: MHSA@ventura.org

Is anyone in immediate danger?

Call 911 and ask for a CIT Officer.

Are you feeling suicidal or in despair?

Talk with someone local now:
VCBH Crisis & Referral Line
1-866-998-2243 • www.VCBH.org
Free • Confidential • 24/7

Or call the national support line:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call, text, or TTY: 988
Web Chat: www.988lifeline.org
Free • Confidential • 24/7

‍

See 988 FAQs >
See Crisis Line Comparison Chart >
Want to connect via Whatsapp?

Crisis Text Line
Connect with a volunteer Crisis Counselor

‍Chat via WhatsApp

‍or text HOME to 741741
crisistextline.org‍

‍Free • 24/7

For Veterans

Veterans Crisis Line‍

‍Call 988 and press 1‍

‍veteranscrisisline.net
Free • Confidential • 24/7

‍

‍More resources for Military and Veterans >

For Teens & Young Adults

Teen Line

‍Teen-to-teen education and support

Text TEEN to 839863 between 6:00pm–9:00pm PST

Or call 800‑TLC‑TEEN from 6pm to 10pm PST teenline.org

‍

‍More resources for Teens & Young Adults >

For LGBTQ+ Young People

The Trevor Project Lifeline
Crisis intervention and suicide prevention
Call 1-866-488-7386
text START to 678-678
or web chat: thetrevorproject.org
Free • 24/7 • Confidential

‍

More resources for LGBTQ+ Teens >

En Español

More Support & Resources

For Everyone

For emotional support when it's not a crisis:
Mental Health Warm Line 24/7
1-855-845-7415
Web chat: mentalhealthsf.org/peer-run-warmline

‍

For help with addiction:
Substance Use Treatment Services
1-844-385-9200
Free • Confidential • 24/7

‍

See more local resources >

For Teens

California Youth Crisis Line

‍Help with issues including medical care, dating violence, sexual assault, runaway resources and homelessness, available 24/7

‍1-800-843-5200‍

‍calyouth.org/cycl

‍

‍More resources for teens >

For Older Adults

Senior Support Line
Feeling lonely or isolated?

Call 1-800-235-9980

‍

‍More resources for older adults >

For LGBTQ+

Call 911 and ask for a CIT Officer.

Diversity Collective

‍Support for LGBTQ+

Countywide • all ages

‍diversitycollectivevc.org‍

‍805-644-5428‍

‍info@diversitycollective.org

‍

‍More LGBTQ+ resources >

For First Responders

Law enforcement COPLINE‍

‍1-800-267-5463‍

‍www.copline.org‍

‍

‍NVFC First Responder Helpline

‍Fire, EMS, and other rescue workers

‍1-888-731-3473

‍‍www.nvfc.org/help

Related Resources

Ventura County Crisis & Referral

24/7 • Free • Confidential

Ventura County Crisis & Referral:
‍1-866-998-2243

‍

‍Substance Use Treatment Services: 1-844-385-9200

https://vchca.org/behavioral-health/

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Free • Confidential • 24/7

Call or text 988
TTY: 988

https://988lifeline.org/

Emergency

Call 911 and ask for a CIT Officer

safeTALK Suicide Alertness Classes

Free, 3-hour training sessions for schools

‍Click here to learn more.

Know the Signs

Learn the warning signs – Find the words – Reach out

https://www.suicideispreventable.org/

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Suicide prevention resources

1-888-333-AFSP (2377)

https://afsp.org/
More Resources
Promoting Mental Health
in Ventura County

For a crisis, call 911 or the VCBH Crisis Team at (866) 998-2243. Please note that information on WellnessEveryday.org should not be used as a substitute for professional healthcare. Always consult a
healthcare professional before acting on any information found on WellnessEveryday.org.

Ventura County Behavioral Health treatment clinics and programs are licensed by the State Department of Health Care Services. Learn more at www.VCBH.org.
©2024 Ventura County Behavioral Health | LEGAL