County offers resources for ‘holiday blues’

The myth that the suicide rate increases during the Christmas holiday is not supported by facts. In fact, the suicide rate is lowest in December and peaks during the spring and fall, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics.

But folks can still get the holiday blues, and local residents who may need someone to talk with this holiday season have help in Santa Clara County.

The county’s Behavioral Health Services department offers suicide prevention and crisis services to local residents. You can call the department’s crisis line at 1(855)278-4204 and/or visit this link for more information.

The crisis hotline is a 24-hour, toll-free and confidential resource available seven days a week for phone intervention and emotional support by trained volunteer Crisis Phone Counselors.

The county also offers training for adults who regularly act interact with young people, as well as a number of workshops aimed at assisting people in need and their loved ones. Go here for more information on services provided.