LIVE CC BY ABERDEEN CAPTIONING 800-688-6621 WWW.ABERCAP.COM >> COMING UP NEXT ON "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT," WE SIT DOWN WITH HEATHER FREITAS FROM THE AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION TO TALK ABOUT THE ARCADIA OUT OF DARKNESS WALK, AN EVENT SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY TO COMBAT SUICIDE AND RAISE AWARENESS.

ALSO A NEW CANDIDATE HAS THROWN THEIR HAT IN THE RACE FOR FIRST DISTRICT SUPERVISOR.

GORDON CLATWORTHY ANNOUNCES HIS CANDIDACY AND MAKES HIS CASE, COMING UP NOW ON "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT."

FROM THE TOP OF HUMBOLDT HILL, THIS IS "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT," I'M JAMES FAULK.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

HOPE IS PRECIOUS.

IT IS A VITAL THING THAT CAN BE LOST DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCE AND CALAMITY AND ITS ABSENCE CAN SEEMINGLY DESTROY OUR INDIVIDUAL WILLS TO CARRY ON.

JUST AS IT CAN BE OCCASIONALLY LOST, IT CAN ALSO BE FOUND.

I'VE BEEN THERE.

AS MANY OF YOU ARE ALREADY AWARE I STRUGGLED FOR YEARS WITH OPIATE ADDICTION THAT LED ME TO LOSE MY FAMILY, MY CAREER AND EVEN MY HOME.

I FELT HOPELESS IN SUCH OVERWHELMING DISCOMFORT, A CONDITION MADE WORSE THAT I BROUGHT IT ON MYSELF.

I CONTEMPLATED TO END EVERYTHING.

I WAS LUCKY.

I HAD PEOPLE AROUND ME WHO REFUSED TO GIVE UP AND OFFERED OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN THEIR HELP UNTIL I FINALLY WISED UP TO ACCEPT THAT HELP.

IT WASN'T EASY, BUT THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE OF OTHERS, ESPECIALLY MY WIFE AMY, AROUSED IN ME A DESIRE TO PERSEVERE.

FOR SOME THAT HOPE NEVER COMES OR COMES TOO LATE.

THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE.

THIS WEEKEND FOLKS WILL GATHER IN ARCADIA TO HELP FIGHT SUICIDE AND THE RELATED ISSUES THAT MAKE IT IS A SOCIETAL PROBLEM.

JOINS ME IS HEATHER FREITAS FROM THE AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION.

THANKS FOR JOINING US, HEATHER.

>> YEAH.

THANK YOU.

>> SO SUNDAY THERE IS TO BE AN EVENT FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION.

CAN YOU BRIEFLY TALK ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION AND HOW IT WORKS?

>> SURE.

THE AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION IS A NONPROFIT LEADER FOR RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY.

THEIR MISSION IS TO SAVE LIVES AND BRING HOPE TO THOSE AFFECTED BY SUICIDE.

>> OKAY.

SO WHAT IS YOUR ROLE WITHIN THE GROUP?

>> I AM A VOLUNTEER AND I AM THE BOARD SECRETARY FOR THE GREATER SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA CHAPTER AND CHAIR FOR THE 2023 ARCADIA OUT OF THE DARKNESS COMMUNITY WALK.

>> SO WHAT IS THE WALK?

WHAT IS IT FOR?

WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT?

IS >> THE ARCADIA OUT OF THE DARKNESS COMMUNITY WALK IS HOSTED BY THE AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION.

IT IS PUT TOGETHER TO BRING HOPE AND HEALING AND REMEMBRANCE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

>> YEAH.

>> IT'S TAKING PLACE THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10th ON WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY AT THE ARCADIA PLAZA.

AND PEOPLE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT DIRECTLY WITH LOCAL RESOURCES.

WE WILL HAVE COMMUNITY RESOURCES TABLING ONSITE.

THEY WILL ENGAGE HONORING IN REMEMBRANCE ACTIVITIES AND THEY WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO LISTEN TO SPEAKERS SHARING THEIR PERSONAL CONNECTION TO THE CAUSE.

>> SOME OF THE IDENTITY OF SPEAKERS HAVEN'T BEEN LISTED YET BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE MIGHT GET UNCOMFORTABLE OR BACK OUT.

HOW MANY SPEAKERS DO YOU HOPE TO HAVE?

>> THIS YEAR WE HOPE TO HAVE THREE SPEAKERS AND THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE SOME OTHER PEOPLE THAT MIGHT BE THERE.

WE HAVE AN OPENING SOMEBODY WILL BE DOING AND SOMEBODY WHO PLANS TO OFFER A SONG.

>> WHAT DO THEY TYPICALLY TALK ABOUT IN THE PAST YEARS?

TO THEY TALK ABOUT THEIR OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OR THE BROADER ISSUE?

WHAT DO THEY FOCUS ON?

>> PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THE PERSONAL CONNECTIONS TO THE CAUSE.

WE HAVE HAD PEOPLE SPEAK ABOUT THEIR LOSSES.

WE HAVE HAD PEOPLE SPEAK ABOUT THEIR PERSONAL STRUGGLES.

WE HAVE ALSO HAD PEOPLE SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THEIR PERSONAL CONNECTIONS WITH THE CAUSE AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY WORK THEY ARE DOING AROUND SUICIDE PREVENTION OR MENTAL HEALTH.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT ON THE PHONE BEFORE THE SHOW IS THE FACT THAT FROM THE SURFACE IT MAY LOOK LIKE A SAD EVENT, BUT THIS ISN'T GOING BE A BUMMER OF AN EXPERIENCE.

PEOPLE ARE COMING TO GENERATE HOPE, CORRECT?

>> YEAH.

AND WE HAVE MUSIC THAT IS HAPPENING THE WHOLE TIME, WHICH USUALLY, YOU KNOW, IT DEFINITELY CHANGES THE MOOD FOR IT.

WHEN PEOPLE SPEAK AND SHARE THEIR PERSONAL STORIES IT DOES PULL US INTO SOME OF THOSE MOMENTS THAT WILL REMIND US OF OUR GRIEF.

IT SHOULD VALIDATE PEOPLE'S FEELINGS.

I THINK SOMETIMES THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS OF THIS EVENT IT VALIDATES PEOPLE'S GRIEF EXPERIENCES, WHERE THEY HAVE GONE.

I THINK THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT ALTHOUGH SOME OF THOSE MOMENTS CAN FEEL HEAVIER AND MORE INTENSE, BUT REALLY, WE ARE COMING TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY TO HELP CARRY THAT.

AND I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE BEAUTIFUL THINGS ABOUT THE EVENT.

GRIEF CAN BE REALLY HEAVY.

IT IS EASIER WHEN PEOPLE ARE THERE TO CARRY IT WITH YOU.

THE ASPECT OF PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER AND REALIZING THEY ARE NOT ALONE IN SOMETHING LIKE THAT CAN BE REALLY HELPFUL.

I HOPE IT IS HEALING FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE.

>> THERE IS A SAYING IN THE PAST WHEN GRIEF WHEN SHARED IS HALVED, HAPPINESS WHEN SHARED IS DOUBLED.

THERE IS TRUTH TO THOSE OLD PHRASES.

DO YOU EXPECT A BIG TURNOUT?

>> I HOPE SO.

SO THERE IS THE POST AND PRE-PANDEMIC.

WE USED TO HAVE 330 PEOPLE WHO WOULD COME.

NOT EVERYONE WHO SHOWS UP ARE REGISTERED.

WE HAVE AT LEAST HAVE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THERE.

LAST YEAR I KNOW MORE PEOPLE SHOWED UP THAN WE EXPECTED, BUT LESS THAN WHAT WE HAD PREVIOUSLY.

SO I'M NOT SURE WHAT IS GOING HAPPEN THIS YEAR.

WE HAVE OVER 150 PEOPLE REGISTERED >> THAT IS A GOOD NUMBER TO START OFF WITH AT LEAST.

THIS IS TO RAISE MONEY, CORRECT?

THERE'S -- I SAW ON YOUR WEBSITE THERE IS A GOAL OF $30,000, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

WE HAVE A GOAL OF $30,000.

WE HAVE RAISED $15,000, WE WERE CLOSE TO $16,000 BEFORE I SAW YOU TODAY, RIGHT BEFORE.

>> YEAH.

>> AND SO WE ARE AT LEAST HALFWAY THERE.

>> SO PEOPLE UNDERSTAND, WHERE DOES THIS MONEY GO ONCE THEY DONATE?

>> SURE.

SO THE FUNDS WILL GO TO THE AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION.

A PORTION OF THE FUNDS GO TO THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION THEN THE REMAINDER WILL GO TO THE LOCAL CHAPTER.

>> MM-HMM.

>> THE LOCAL CHAPTER ACTUALLY OPERATES THROUGHOUT LIKE I THINK 16 COUNTIES OR SOMETHING OF CALIFORNIA.

AND SO IT GOES ALL UP ALONG THE WESTERN COAST AND THE NORTHERN PART OF CALIFORNIA AND INLAND A LITTLE BIT.

>> YEAH.

>> THIS INCLUDES HUMBOLDT COUNTY, OF COURSE.

THAT ALLOWS US TO SPEND SOME OF THE FUNDING HERE.

>> WHAT DO YOU GUYS DO WITH IT?

SUPPORT KIND OF STUFF?

>> WELL, OUR INTENTION WITH THOSE FUNDS ARE TO BOLSTER EXISTING TRAININGS IN THE AREA.

SO IDEALLY MAKING CONNECTIONS WITH LOCAL AGENCIES WHO ALREADY HAVE TRAINED PEOPLE TO OFFER DIFFERENT TRAININGS.

>> YEAH.

>> AND SUPPORT THAT HOWEVER WE CAN.

>> OKAY.

SO YOU GUYS ACTUALLY WORK WITH PEOPLE DEALING WITH PATIENTS WHO HAVE PROBLEMS AND -- I SAY PATIENTS, PEOPLE AND HELP THEM BE MORE EFFECTIVE.

IS THAT FAIR?

>> I THINK SO.

I KNOW THE ORGANIZATIONAL OVERALL, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY DO REALLY WELL IS INVEST IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.

THE BRAIN IS THE LEAST STUDIED ORGAN OF THE BODY.

THAT IS INTENTION OF HOW THE ORGANIZATION WAS FOUNDED IN THE LATE 80s WAS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND HOW CAN WE SAVE PEOPLE FROM MENTAL ILLNESS.

>> THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY HAS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH UNTREATED MENTAL ILLNESS.

AND WITH SUICIDE.

I LOOKED UP BEFORE WE STARTED THE SHOW AND I MENTIONED TO YOU BEFORE THAT THE CALIFORNIA OR HUMBOLDT COUNTY HAS THE FIFTH WORST SUICIDE RATE IN THE STATE.

DO YOU THINK THAT, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT HUGE STATISTIC FOR, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE HUMBOLDT COUNTY?

>> LITTLE OLD HUMBOLDT COUNTY?

WELL, I THINK -- I KNOW THAT NORTHERN CALIFORNIA HAS REALLY HIGHER RATES OF SUICIDE.

AND THAT INCLUDES LIKE COMPARED TO THE NATIONAL AVERAGE WE RANK TWICE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, ALTHOUGH CALIFORNIA OVERALL DOESN'T RANK VERY HIGH WHEN COMPARED TO OTHER STATES.

>> YEAH.

>> SO IF YOU ARE JUST LOOKING AT NUMBERS.

WITH THOSE STATISTICS, I KNOW THAT HUMBOLDT COUNTY, WE HAVE THIS BEAUTIFUL, PHYSICAL REDWOOD CURTAIN.

JUST AS ONE VARIABLE THAT CAN REALLY LIMIT ACCESS TO RESOURCES.

WHERE WE HAVE A RURAL POCKET SURROUNDED BY OTHER RURAL POCKETS AND I THINK THAT EXACERBATES THE PROBLEM OF PEOPLE HAVING ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND SUPPORT NETWORKS.

SO IF PEOPLE NEED TO SEEK SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T REALLY HAVE THE CAPACITY FOR IN OUR COUNTY, IF THEY HAVE TO LEAVE, IT CAN BE HARD TO DO THAT IF YOU HAVE LIMITED TRANSPORTATION, LIMITED FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND LIMITED SUPPORT NETWORKS.

FOR EXAMPLE, SOMEONE HAD TO GO TO REDDING FOR SOMETHING, IF YOU DON'T KNOW ANYBODY THERE IT MIGHT BE EXPENSIVE AND YOU MIGHT BE GOING ALONE.

>> YEAH, YEAH.

THERE IS ALSO THE ISSUE -- THAT IS RELATED, ECONOMICS.

WE HAVE A HIGH NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE MAKING BELOW THE MEDIAN WAGE INCOME.

AND I THINK THAT CAN EXACERBATE THE PRESSURES AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

DO YOU THINK THE AVAILABILITY OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES PLAYS INTO THE BROADER ISSUE AND DO YOU THINK HUMBOLDT COUNTY AS AN INSTITUTION COULD DO MORE ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH?

>> YEAH.

I THINK THAT IS THE GOAL.

I THINK THAT IS WHAT PEOPLE ARE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW.

>> MM-HMM >> I WOULD SAY MOST OF THE ORGANIZATIONS IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY WORKING ON MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION KNOW IT IS LIMITED AND WE NEED TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY HERE.

SO -- >> IF SOMEONE IS PERSONALLY FEELING LIKE THEY ARE AT RISK OR ON THE VERGE OF SELF-HARM OR SUICIDAL IDEATION, WHAT SERVICES WOULD YOU DIRECT THEM?

THERE IS 988, A HOTLINE PEOPLE CAN TEXT AND CALL.

WE WILL PUT THAT UP ON THE SCREEN AT SOME POINT.

WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?

>> YEAH.

I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THAT.

ALSO IF SOMEBODY IS STRUGGLING OR CONCERNED THEY MIGHT HARM THEMSELVES, TO SEEK DIFFERENT MEANS OF SUPPORT INCLUDING REACHING OUT TO SOMEBODY AND BEING ABLE TO TALK ABOUT IT.

IF PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT OTHERS, THERE'S A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT RESOURCES, ALTHOUGH OUR COUNTY IS STILL SOMEWHAT LIMITED OR MAYBE IT'S MYSTIFIED AND I THINK PART OF WHAT THE WALK HELPS WITH IS TO CONNECT PEOPLE DIRECTLY WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCES, HELPS DEMYSTIFY THAT.

TO LEARN WHERE YOU CAN GO AND HOW YOU CAN NAVIGATE IT.

PEOPLE CAN ACCESS THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HAS A REALLY GREAT WEBSITE FOR LOOKING AT DIFFERENT SERVICES THEY COULD ACCESS IF THEY NEED TO AROUND CRISIS SUPPORT AND CRISIS INTERVENTION.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE EXISTING SERVICES THAT ARE LIKE THE MOBILE RESPONSE TEAM.

THERE'S -- THEY HAVE SOME CRISIS LINES AS WELL THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

>> ONE OF THE ISSUES AND THIS IS SORT OF A FASCINATING PROBLEM, BUT THERE ARE -- IT'S OBVIOUSLY A TRAUMATIC AND SAD EVENT IF THEY LOSE FAMILY MEMBERS OR SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES SO IT MAKES PEOPLE HESITANT TO TALK ABOUT IT.

IT IS THROUGH TALKING ABOUT IT AND RAISING AWARENESS LIKE YOU ARE DOING THIS WEEKEND THIS GETS ADDRESSED.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN RELUCTANT IN THE PAST WOULD YOU SAY IT IS POSITIVE TO COME FORWARD?

>> YES.

WE HAVE A PROGRAM CALLED TALK SAVES LIVES I HOPE WE WILL HOST MORE IN THE NEXT YEAR.

THAT ALONE, JUST THE TITLE OF THAT, REALLY, IT IS OKAY TO ASK PEOPLE AND BE DIRECT AND MAYBE TO PURSUE A PRIVATE CONVERSATION TO ASK THEM IF THEY HAVE THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE, TO SEE HOW THEY ARE DOING, TO SEE IF THEY ARE STRUGGLING WITH THINGS.

IF YOU ARE CONCERNED, ESPECIALLY AFTER THAT CONVERSATION TO STAY WITH THEM AND TO HELP THEM SEEK SUPPORT AND DIFFERENT SERVICES.

>> YEAH.

ANOTHER QUESTION OR RELATED QUESTION IS SOMETIMES IF YOU SEE SOMEONE WHO YOU THINK IS IN CRISIS BUT THEY TELL YOU THEY ARE OKAY, DO YOU JUST TAKE THAT, YOU KNOW, TAKE THEIR ANSWER AT FACE VALUE OR IS THERE EVER A POINT WHERE YOU SHOULD LIKE, YOU KNOW, PUSH OR TRY TO ASSERT?

>> I THINK THERE ARE DEFINITELY TIMES PEOPLE SHOULD INTERVENE.

I KNOW SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ALSO COME UP ARE AROUND KNOWING THE SIGNS.

>> MM-HMM.

>> THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SIGNS.

IT IS REALLY EASY TO ACCESS WHAT THE SIGNS ARE AND LOOK AT THAT KIND OF INFORMATION.

>> YEAH, YEAH.

>> A SIGN COULD BE IF SOMEONE IS GIVING AWAY THEIR POSSESSIONS OR SUDDEN CHANGE IN MOODS OR BEHAVIORS.

THERE IS THE RISK FACTORS.

SO SOMEBODY IS BEING BULLIED IF THEY HAVE -- MAYBE IF THEY LOST THEIR JOB OR HAD OTHER SIGNIFICANT CHANGES HAPPEN, TO KIND OF KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THOSE THINGS.

SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT ALTHOUGH IT IS REALLY DIFFERENT, IS LEARNING PROTECTIVE FACTORS.

THAT IS PART OF WHERE THE PREVENTION HAPPENS.

>> WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?

>> YEAH.

SO PROTECTIVE FACTORS ARE THINGS LIKE BUILDING CONNECTIONS WITH PEOPLE AND WITH COMMUNITY.

WHICH IS ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK THE WALK HELPS DO.

>> YEAH.

>> ANOTHER PROTECTIVE FACTOR WOULD BE INCREASING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.

SO THERE IS A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROTECTIVE FACTORS, AND THAT INCLUDES CREATING TOOL KITS FOR COPING WITH YOUR FEELINGS AND EXPERIENCES YOU HAVE.

PROTECTIVE FACTORS ARE CRITICAL FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT -- WHAT WOULD YOU ADVISE PARENTS TO TALK ABOUT THEIR TEENAGER ABOUT THIS ISSUE?

EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT SEEING SIGNS, SHOULD WE APPROACH OUR TEENAGERS AND BE OPEN ABOUT IT OR BE AFRAID OF PUTTING IDEAS IN THEIR HEADS?

>> WE DEFINITELY SHOULD HAVE CONVERSATIONS.

THERE ARE TRAININGS THAT HAPPEN LOCALLY.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS HAPPENING THIS MONTH BECAUSE IT IS WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH.

>> YEAH.

>> THERE ARE TRAININGS MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING.

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING FOR YOUTH.

IF PEOPLE PARTICIPATE IN THOSE TRAININGS THEY LEARN THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES THAT HAPPEN WITH PEOPLE AT YOUNG AGES AND DIFFERENT TIMES THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE WHEN PEOPLE MIGHT EXPERIENCE THE ONSET OF SOMETHING.

FOR EXAMPLE, DEPRESSION -- IF SOMEBODY IS GOING BE LIVING WITH DEPRESSION, SOME PEOPLE EXPERIENCE IT AND OTHER PEOPLE LIVE WITH IT, IT CAN BE AS EARLY AND 9 YEARS OLD.

HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND BEING OPEN TO TALK ABOUT THESE THINGS AND REACH OUT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> ASK FOR HELP.

>> CAN YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE?

WHAT GOT YOU INTO THE ORGANIZATION AND WHAT DRIVES YOU?

>> SO IN 2011 I LOST MY DAD BY SUICIDE.

HE WASN'T MY FIRST SUICIDE LOSS.

HE WAS MY FIFTH SUICIDE LOSS.

SO ONE OF MY BROTHERS TOLD ME ABOUT THE AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION AND WE WENT AS A FAMILY TO A SURVIVOR DAY EVENT WE HOST IN NOVEMBER.

WE WILL HAVE ONE THIS NOVEMBER.

I'M JUST NOT SURE OF THE LOCATION.

IT WILL BE IN ARCADIA, POSSIBLY.

I WAS FUND-RAISING FOR THE ORGANIZATION WHEN I WAS APPROACHED BY A PERSON FROM OUR COMMUNITY WHO ASKED ME ABOUT SERVICES IN HUMBOLDT, THAT THEY COULD HAVE ACCESS TO.

I REALLY DIDN'T KNOW.

I KNEW OF A SUPPORT GROUP FOR LOSS SURVIVORS.

THE PERSON SAID, NO, FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME.

I STRUGGLE WITH SUICIDAL IDEATION AND I MADE SUICIDE ATTEMPTS.

I FELT MOTIVATED TO RESPONSIBILITY TO WHAT SHE WAS SHARING TO SEE IF I COULD LEARN SOMETHING.

I REACHED OUT TO THE ORGANIZATION TO SEE ABOUT VOLUNTEERING AND I BECAME A FIELD ADVOCATE.

>> HOW MANY YEARS AGO WAS THAT?

>> THAT WAS IN 2012, I BECAME A FIELD ADVOCATE >> SO OVER 10 YEARS YOU HAVE BEEN DOING THAT.

>> YEAH.

THAT SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD TIME.

>> IT IS A GOOD LONG TIME.

ONE OF THE PHOTOS YOU GAVE US WAS YOU IN WASHINGTON, D.C. >> YEAH.

>> CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT EXPERIENCE, WHAT THAT WAS ABOUT AND HOW IT FELT TO BE PART OF A NATIONAL MOVEMENT LIKE THAT?

>> YES.

THE AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION HAS A FIELD ADVOCACY PROGRAM.

IT IS REALLY EASY TO BECOME A PART, DOESN'T DEMAND A LOT OF TIME.

IT IS A COOL OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH BASICALLY PEOPLE WHO WORK IN LEGISLATION, WHICH ISN'T ALWAYS THAT FUN AND THINGS CAN BE REAL SLOW MOVING, BUT FOR THAT SPECIFICALLY I GOT TO GO TO D.C. AS A FIELD AMBASSADOR AND WE COORDINATED MEETINGS WITH CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES AND SENATE OFFICES TO TALK ABOUT PRIORITIES THAT THE ORGANIZATION HAD IDENTIFIED FOR EITHER STRENGTHENING FUNDING OR HAVING DIFFERENT LEGISLATION PASSED.

IT CHANGES EVERY YEAR.

I HAVE GONE A FEW TIMES.

SOMETIMES THING CARRY OVER.

THE 988 IS SOMETHING WE ADVOCATED FOR IN D.C. ALSO.

>> YOU'VE GOT YOUR HANDS ALL OVER THAT IN TERMS OF YOU HELPED PUSH IT THROUGH?

>> YEAH.

TRIED TO.

GO TO OFFICES AND MEET WITH HEALTH LEGISLATIVE AIDES OR CONGRESS PEOPLE AND HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

WE SHARE OUR PERSONAL CONNECTIONS WITH THE CAUSE.

IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE CONSTITUENTS FROM THEIR DISTRICTS.

YOU LEARN HOW THAT WORKS SO WHEN PEOPLE WANT TO CHANGE THINGS IT IS A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE.

>> THERE YOUR EXPERIENCE AND PEOPLE YOU HAVE SPOKEN WITH, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES FACED BY FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE WAKE OF THIS.

A LOT OF US HAVE HAD THOUGHTS.

AS I MENTIONED IN THE BEGINNING OF THE SHOW.

PART OF WHAT KEPT ME FROM THAT IS THE HUGE BURDEN FOR MY WIFE AND KIDS.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ABOUT HOW IT IMPACTS FAMILY MEMBERS?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT PEOPLE SHOULD STAY HERE BECAUSE PEOPLE WANT THEM HERE.

PEOPLE WILL MISS YOU.

THEY LOVE YOU.

WITH SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPEN, I THINK IT IS REALLY DIFFERENT BASED ON HOW THE FAMILIES ARE, TOO.

I FELT FORTUNATE.

I'M REALLY CLOSE WITH MY FAMILY SO WHEN IT CAME TO HAVING SUPPORT FROM MY FAMILY, I HAD IT.

NOT EVERYBODY HAS IT.

SOMETIMES WHEN PEOPLE EXPERIENCE SUICIDE LOSS THEY CAN'T TALK ABOUT IT.

IT IS HIGHLY STIGMATIZED.

I'M AROUND CONVERSATIONS WHERE WE TALK ABOUT THAT.

IT IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.

PEOPLE ARE LEFT FEELING SHATTERED OR DEVASTATED.

FAMILIES MIGHT CHANGE.

I KNOW THAT DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF LOSS AND THE RELATIONSHIP, IT ENDS UP LOOKING REALLY DIFFERENT FOR DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

>> YEAH.

I GUESS AS MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE THERE ARE THAT IS THE SITUATIONS THAT WILL BE CREATED BY THIS THING.

IT IS NOT GOING BE A GENERAL STATEMENT.

WOULD YOU SAY THAT -- I'M SORRY, I GOT THAT STARTED WRONG.

WHERE AM I AT HERE?

SORRY.

I KNOW WHAT I WAS GOING ASK.

SORRY.

IF YOU HAVE A HOUSEHOLD AND KIDS IN THE HOUSE OR PEOPLE THAT EXPERIENCE DEPRESSION IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD DO TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY HAVE LYING AROUND THE HOUSE, IF THEY HAVE A GUN OR MEDICATIONS, HOW WOULD YOU HANDLE THAT OR IS THERE A PARTICULAR WAY TO BE SAFE WITH THAT KIND OF STUFF?

>> YEAH.

DEFINITELY LIMITING ACCESS TO LETHAL MEANS, MEDICATIONS AND FIRE ARMS AND OTHER TYPES OF LETHAL MEANS.

THERE ARE A FEW WAYS TO GO ABOUT THAT EVERYONE LOCALLY.

AGENCIES HAND OUT FREE LOCK BOXINGS -- BOXES THAT CAN HELP YOU LOCK UP YOUR FIREARM OR OTHER LETHAL MEANS.

REALLY TIME SAVES LIVES.

IF PEOPLE HAVE LIMITED ACCESS OR DELAYED ACCESS, IT CAN SAY THEIR LIFE AND DEESCALATE THEM FROM CRISIS IS IF THAT IS WHERE THEY ARE AT.

IT IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT IS SAFE TO DO WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY HAVING THOSE THINGS IN YOUR HOME.

>> COMMON SENSE.

>> YEAH.

>> IS THERE A PARTICULAR AGE WE SHOULD FOCUS ON?

IT IS SPREAD LOOKING AT THE STATS.

BUT IS THERAGE AGE YOU WOULD TELL PEOPLE BE CAREFUL IF YOUR CHILDREN OR -- >> I THINK -- I'M NOT SURE ON MY OPINION OF IT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE FOR HUMBOLDT COUNTY SPECIFICALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE AGE GROUPS.

>> YEAH.

>> BECAUSE THE STATISTICS ON -- I WOULD ALWAYS JUST PAY ATTENTION TO EVERYBODY BECAUSE IT HAPPENS IN DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS.

I HAVE MET A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE AND OTHER DEMOGRAPHICS AS WELL.

>> IF PEOPLE CAN'T GO TO THE WALK, BUT STILL WANT TO GIVE THERE IS THE AFSP.ORG/ARCADA AND THERE ARE LINKS FOR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP?

>> YES.

TO MAKE A DONATION WOULD BE AWESOME BECAUSE WE COULD RETAIN A PORTION FOR OUR CHAPTER AND THE WORK WE DO IN HUMBOLDT AND HELP US REACH OUR GOAL.

NO.

THE OTHER THING THAT WOULD BE REALLY COOL IS IF PEOPLE JUST WANTED TO DO THAT AND SURPRISE PEOPLE WITH DONATIONS ON THEIR FUND-RAISING GOALS.

THERE ARE PEOPLE FUND-RAISING.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE PEOPLE ARE AT WITH THEIR FUND-RAISING, BUT THAT WOULD BE A NICE SURPRISE.

>> INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY?

>> YEAH.

WE HAVE DIFFERENT FUND-RAISING GOALS AND INCENTIVES AND TO HELP PEOPLE REACH THOSE THAT WOULD BE A NICE GIFT.

THE AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION WEBSITE AFSP.ORG IS A GREAT RESOURCE.

IT HAS A LOT OF INFORMATION ON THERE.

YEAH.

I FEEL LIKE I CAN GET LOST IN THERE BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH INFORMATION BUT IT REALLY HAS ANYTHING I WOULD TALK ABOUT HERE TODAY, I THINK.

>> YEAH.

ABSOLUTELY.

AND SO IT IS SUNDAY, IT STARTS AT 9:00?

>> YEAH.

REGISTRATION OPENS AT 9:00.

YOU HAVE FROM 9:00 TO 10:00 TO CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND REMEMBRANCE ACTIVITIES AND THEN THE WALK STARTS AROUND 10:30.

>> THERE ARE TEAMS OR YOU WANT TO JOIN A GROUP OR BRING A GROUP, YOU CAN WALK AS A COLLECTIVE AND MAKE A STATEMENT THAT WAY.

>> YEAH.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING BE A BEAUTIFUL EVENT.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND BRINGING US THIS INFORMATION.

I HOPE ANYBODY AT HOME WHO IS HAVING ISSUES, CALL THE 988, ONE NUMBER FOR CRISIS INTERVENTION.

IT GET BETTER, I GUESS IS THE BEST WAY TO PUT IT.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> YEAH, THANK YOU.

>> IN OTHER NEWS, A NEW CANDIDATE HAS DECIDED TO OPPOSE INCUMBENT FIRST DISTRICT SUPERVISOR REX BONE AND THE RACE FOR THAT SEAT.

GORDON CLATWORTHY DESCRIBED FOR US HIS REASONS FOR RUNNING AND WHICH OF THE MANY ISSUES FACING HUMBOLDT COUNTY HE IS MOST ITCHING TO FIX.

>> THE SOLUTIONS TO HUMBOLDT COUNTY PROBLEMS NEED TO COME FROM HUMBOLDT COUNTY.

FROM THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE.

WE CAN'T RELY ON OUTSIDE COMPANIES THAT DON'T HAVE THE BEST INTERESTS FOR THE PEOPLE HERE.

ONE OF THE MORE RADICAL PLANS I HAVE THAT PEOPLE HAVE TALKED TO ME ABOUT ARE USING COUNTY EQUITY TO BUILD LOW-INCOME AND NO-INCOME HOUSING.

ONE IN FIVE PEOPLE IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY LIVE AT OR BELOW THE POVERTY LINE RIGHT NOW.

AND THERE'S NOT ENOUGH HOUSING.

AND YES, WE ARE STARTING TO BUILD SOME LOW-INCOME HOUSING, BUT IT IS ALMOST TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE.

WE NEED A MASSIVE INVESTMENT IN HOUSING IF WE ARE GOING SOLVE ANY OF THE PROBLEMS.

AND GETTING PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS, CLEANING UP THE STREETS, THAT IS GOING BRING BUSINESSES BACK.

LOW-INCOME HOUSING WILL GIVE MORE PEOPLE MORE OF THEIR PAYCHECK TO SPEND WHICH WILL HELP BOOST THE ECONOMY.

RIGHT NOW HUMBOLDT COUNTY HAS OVER 140 TRUSTS THAT ARE HORRENDOUSLY MISMANAGED.

WE DON'T KNOW WHERE FUNDS ARE GOING.

MONEY IS DISAPPEARING SO WE NEED TO GET THAT UNDER CONTROL.

AS SOON AS WE DO THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY START SOLVING THE PROBLEMS THAT HUMBOLDT COUNTY HAS.

CLATS THERE WORTHY WILL JOIN US FRIDAY OF NEXT WEEK.

A NEW PARTNER SHIP BETWEEN CALL POLY HUMBOLDT AND CALL FIRE ARE EXPANDING JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR AREA WORKERS.

THE PLAN SEEKS TO IMPROVE FOREST HEALTH AND LAND MANAGEMENT ACROSS THE WEST.

THE TWO AGENCY CANS BENEFIT EMPLOYEES, STUDENTS, THE COMMUNITY AND THE STATE.

CURT McRAE, CALL FIRE CHIEF SAID HE IS EXCITED TO LEARN FROM CALL POLY STUDENTS AND FACULTY WAYS TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY.

ERIC KELLY THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND MANAGEMENT IS SAYS THE GOAL IS LEVERAGE RESOURCES FOR THE RESOURCES TO MEET CHALLENGES FACING CALIFORNIA'S FORESTS.

CALL POLY HUMBOLDT IS LAUNCHING A FIRE PROGRAM ONE OF THE LARGE NEST THE STATE AND ONE OF TWO FOUR-YEAR BACHELOR DEGREE FIRE PROGRAMS.

THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I WANT TO REITERATE HOW SERIOUS OUR CONVERSATION WAS TONIGHT, SO, PLEASE, IF YOU HAVE AN ISSUE, DIAL 988.

STAY TUNED.

STAY INFORMED.