News & Updates

MHSA Community Planning Process: Annual Update 2023-2024

April 19, 2024

MHSA Community Planning Process: Three Year Plan Annual Update

Be the one to help. Join advocates, providers, participants, and family members to provide input on the annual update of MHSA funding.
January 26, 2024

Public Hearing: MHSA Three Year Plan Mid-Year Adjustment

We welcome your continued participation in the Community Planning Process. Please join us for the latest developments and to provide feedback, including on the one-time adjustment of more than $30 million dollars.
October 23, 2023

MHSA Community Planning Process - Three Year Plan Update

We welcome you to participate in the Community Planning Process for the MHSA Three Year Plan 2023-2026. Join to hear updates and make your voice heard.
September 7, 2023

Ventura County Strategic Plan for Suicide Prevention

Ventura County Behavioral Health and the Ventura County Suicide Prevention Council have developed a draft Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan for Ventura County.
August 2, 2023

Mental Wellness Event: Empower Up! – May 4, 2023

A day where young people will come together in one space to empower one another to elevate mental well-being.
April 14, 2023

988 Suicide &Crisis Lifeline

National Support Line
Free
 • 
Confidential
 • 
24/7
988 (Call, Text, or TTY)
www.988lifeline.org
Lorem • Ipsum • Delor

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
www.teenline.org
Lorem • Ipsum • Delor
Browse by category:
More News
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.
©2025 Ventura County Behavioral Health | LEGAL

Home
 / 
Preventive Suicide

Preventing Suicide:
Pathways to Hope and Healing 2023 Forum

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.

It's OK...to feel upset or stressed or overwhelmed or sad

But if you feel that way all the time or you want to harm yourself, it’s time to talk to someone about it.

A Tale of Two Journeys

Keynote Speaker Gabe Teran, a lifelong resident of Ventura County, shares his own journey of loss and grief ater the death of a family member by suicide – followed by another journey, one of hope and healing. Through sharing these two journeys, he hopes that others can find strength in navigating their own.

Together We Can Make a Difference

VENTURA COUNTY SUICIDE PREVENTION COUNCIL

Vision: Ventura County 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.

Contact MHSA@ventura.org for more information.

If you are interested in joining the Suicide Prevention Council, please email MHSA@ventura.org

Tags: 
This is some text inside of a div block.
•
Related Pages
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Mental Health Myths & Facts
Alcohol & Drugs
Video Library

Interface Children & Family Services

Interface Children & Family Services

Interface Children & Family Services

Full video library
Related Resources

VCBH Access/Crisis Line

24/7 • Free • Confidential

VCBH Access/Crisis Line:
‍1-866-998-2243

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.
©2025 Ventura County Behavioral Health | LEGAL