By Patricia Schallert
Suicide Prevention Month typically takes place every year in September, and includes events, campaigns, and resources aimed at reducing the stigma surrounding mental health issues. It encourages individuals to seek help and support BEFORE they are in crisis, if that’s possible. The goal of this campaign is to educate the public about the warning signs of suicide, provide resources and information on how to help someone in crisis, and highlight the importance of how many people benefit from these programs.
For Maya Zumaya, it is not just one month of awareness, it is a yearlong campaign of teaching and advocating for prevention. Maya, who sees herself as a suicide survivor, began her volunteer advocacy work with the Ventura County Behavioral Health crisis team to help them identify warning signs of suicide crises. She started her advocacy work during the COVID pandemic while working at a psychiatric hospital, witnessing the negative impact on young people. Although her volunteer work was independent, she collaborated with various organizations and has also been involved in the Ventura County Behavioral Health Prevention Committee and is currently contracted to provide Suicide Prevention Trainings.
Discovering resources for learning about world-leading suicide prevention skills is crucial for creating safety and instilling hope within families, communities, and workplaces. Research shows that education and prevention efforts can have a significant impact in reducing suicide rates. It is important to recognize that suicide is a pressing public health crisis that requires immediate attention. By seeking out information and training on suicide prevention techniques, we can work towards building a safer and more supportive environment for those at risk.
Mental health has been impacted by families losing their homes, covid, politics, job losses and deportation issues. Maya as cofounder of the First Responders for Mental Health Initiative, also collaborates with the first Responders County Wide First Responders for Mental Health which was founded with the mission to end the stigma surrounding mental health among first responders. “Our goal is to bridge the gap between first responders and the community by promoting mental health awareness, sharing valuable resources and supporting nonprofits focused on mental wellness,” she said.
Through events, education and fundraising efforts, her programs and efforts aim to create a culture where mental health is prioritized, understood and openly discussed within the community.
Currently, Maya’s educational program is the Suicide Prevention Program funded by Ventura County Behavioral Health – MSHA funds as a contractor for this program. She is certified and contracted by the County of Ventura to provide these Suicide Prevention trainings with the focus on dispelling the fears, myths and misconceptions surrounding suicide, while empowering individuals to feel more capable in supporting someone in crisis through active listening and thoughtful questioning.
She advocates for “reducing the stigma associated with mental health issues and educating others on how to identify and respond to signs of distress in those around them.” Many individuals contemplating suicide do not seek help on their own. The QPR (Question a person about suicide, Persuade someone to get help and Refer someone to the appropriate resources) concept and theory of intervention is based on the understanding that most suicidal individuals do not reach out for help or may resist treatment. They may turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with their pain and often conceal their feelings of despair, leading to their struggles going unnoticed and untreated.
Understanding how to alleviate someone’s anxiety when discussing suicide, as well as addressing their basic fears about the topic, is crucial. Failure to respond appropriately may be misinterpreted by someone who is feeling suicidal as a sign that no one cares and could be seen as permission to act on their thoughts. “Encouraging individuals to seek help is really critical”, according to Maya. Along with validating their feelings and emotions, Maya believes that “Individuals facing mental health issues, as well as other disorders or challenging life circumstances, often experience loneliness and depression with seemingly no way out. The impact of these struggles is significant with many individuals at risk of suicide.”
She continued, “However, there is hope through available resources, intervention and support. Free suicide prevention training is available for organizations, schools, and community members. By learning to recognize warning signs and communicate effectively, we can prevent tragedies. It is important for everyone to participate in this training or be aware of the resources to support those in need and save lives through proactive intervention.”
For Maya, the Suicide prevention Program, funded by Ventura County Behavioral Health MSHA, offers workshops to teach effective communication with individuals in crisis. They emphasize the importance of listening, validating feelings, and connecting individuals with necessary resources and support. While they do not provide crisis intervention, they refer individuals to resources like The National Suicide Hotline (988). The goal is to empower individuals to find what works best for them in saving their own lives and to guide those feeling trapped in crisis with the appropriate resources. Rather than simply addressing symptoms, she focuses on healing and shares strategies to combat the stigma surrounding mental health through education and awareness.
QPR Institute is not a form of counseling or treatment, rather it is intended to offer hope through positive action.
- com/qpr-pathfinder
- Living Works 1-888-733-5484
- Vets4Warriors: 1-855-838-8255
- LGBTQ Crises Services 1-866-488-7386
- Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860
- Maya Zumaya 1-805-396-0531
- mzhope4life@gmail.com
- 988 The National Suicide Hotline – Chat online: org
