Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Behavioral Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kern County proclaims September as Suicide Prevention and Recovery months; behavioral health officials outline services
Summary
The board issued proclamations for National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and Recovery Month; Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services described local programs, a 23% increase in SUD treatment admissions and upcoming events.
The Kern County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday proclaimed September 2025 as both National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and Recovery Month and received a briefing from Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) on local programs and events.
What happened: Supervisors voted to approve the proclamations, which were presented during the morning session. Supervisor Philippe Couch introduced the items and thanked BHRS staff for their work; the board recorded a unanimous vote to adopt the proclamations.
Local behavioral‑health context: Tanya Maddox, BHRS crisis services administrator, said suicide “impacts every community” and that this year’s theme for both observances is “rooted in resilience.” Allison (last name not specified in the public record) and other BHRS representatives described county programs and public events scheduled for September.
Services and statistics provided: Anna Olvera, the county’s substance use disorder administrator, said BHRS oversees a network of 29 treatment clinics across Kern County. She told the board the network saw a 23% increase in admissions over the last year and that 6,741 individuals received SUD care in the most recent fiscal year. Olvera noted expanded access to medications for alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder in primary care and other settings, and described evidence‑based practices such as contingency management and certified peer services.
Planned events: BHRS mentioned a series of public events including Kicking It with Kern (a free CSUB men’s soccer game on Sept. 17), Move Like Mad (Riverwalk Park, Sept. 13), and a Recovery Resource Fair at Mill Creek Park (Sept. 27). The County Administrative Building was lit in purple and teal during September to recognize both observances.
Why it matters: Supervisors said the proclamations highlight prevention, treatment and community supports; BHRS emphasized that treatment options and community‑based supports have expanded while stressing the need for reduced stigma and broader access to care.
Ending: The board adopted the proclamations; BHRS encouraged community participation in the scheduled events and distributed a calendar of activities and resources.
