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Milwaukie leaders and health partners highlight suicide prevention, 988 and trainings after remembrance
Summary
City leaders, police and Clackamas County presenters urged use of the 988 crisis line, described behavioral‑health unit activity and announced combined naloxone and suicide‑prevention trainings at the Ledding Library, following a remembrance for two recently deceased former officials.
Mayor Lisa Beatty opened the meeting with a remembrance of two former local officials and then turned the floor over to police and public‑health partners leading the city’s suicide‑prevention work.
A Milwaukie Police Department behavioral health unit (BHU) and county public‑health staff described recent activity and resources aimed at reducing suicide and connecting people to care. Police Captain Tony Chiragino said that in April the department and its BHU made eight referrals to stabilization services — four by law enforcement and four by the BHU — and that the BHU recorded 123 contacts, including on‑scene support and follow‑up visits. “These are measurable stats,” Chiragino said, adding that the unit’s work is “saving lives, getting people help” and easing demand on patrol officers.
A Clackamas County public‑health presenter emphasized that help is available 24/7 through the 988 crisis line and that the system offers language options and veterans’ routing. The presenter said suicide is among the leading causes of death across multiple age groups in Oregon and highlighted that trainings and upstream prevention reduce risk: “People trained, people noticing, people asking the question, sharing resources like 988 … saves lives,” the official said.
The presentation announced a series of community trainings at the Ledding Library: a free naloxone training paired with suicide‑prevention training and a later session teaching warning‑sign recognition and how to connect people to support. NAMI Clackamas described its free peer‑support programs, educational classes and jail‑based programming and urged residents to visit namicc.org for appointment information.
During community comment, Pastor Bruce Bruns urged direct conversations about risk, advising residents to be blunt when concerned for someone’s safety: “Don’t ask how you are. Ask if you’ve had thoughts of harming yourself,” he said.
The mayor and former mayor Mark Gamba linked the presentations to ongoing city outreach and said the council will promote the trainings and local resources. The meeting closed with routine business: the council approved the consent agenda unanimously before adjourning to an executive session about litigation.
The city will share details on the announced trainings and how to register via its social channels and library postings.
