Print

Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center partners with Angels Baseball to support suicide prevention in Orange County

August 17, 2020

Santa Ana, Calif. (August 17, 2020) – The Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center, in collaboration with Angels Baseball and the OC Health Care Agency, has launched a fundraising initiative to expand suicide prevention services for Orange County residents.

Beginning Aug. 17, a fundraising campaign will start on television, streaming and online platforms for the Angels home and away games through the end of their regular season on Sept. 27. This campaign will include a text-to-donate message for Didi Hirsch’s Suicide Prevention Services in Orange County (TEXT DIDI to 41-444), and a donation webpage at www.didihirsch.org/angels. Didi Hirsch offers comprehensive, life-saving services funded by the OC Health Care Agency through the Mental Health Services Act.

“We’re very proud of our partnership with the OC Health Care Agency and the excellent services they are able to provide for suicide prevention through their agreement with the Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center,” said Los Angeles Angels Chairman Dennis Kuhl. “We want our fans to know that help is available when they need it.”

Didi Hirsch’s Suicide Prevention Center is the first in the nation and a leader in innovative suicide prevention care and public policy, ensuring the safety of people thinking about suicide, worried family and friends and those who have survived a suicide attempt or loss.  It established the nation’s first 24/7 suicide hotline in English and Spanish and is one of the leading crisis centers of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network.

“We are so grateful that Angels Baseball and the OC Health Care Agency have the vision, creativity and compassion to make mental health and suicide prevention a priority for local fans and residents,” said Didi Hirsch’s Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Goldfinger, MD, MPH, FAAP. “This initiative supports the expansion of clinical services and outreach efforts for vulnerable populations, now when they need us most. It’s a model for how private-public partnerships can tackle challenges in mental health care access and transform many lives.”

In addition to staffing Orange County’s 24/7 suicide prevention lifeline center, in 2011 Didi Hirsch began offering survivor support services in Orange County in partnership with the OC Health Care Agency.

OC Suicide Prevention Initiative

These services include individual and family therapy for people who have lost someone to suicide, support groups for adults who have survived an attempt or loss, outreach and education to help the public recognize and respond to warning signs of suicide, and specialized training for mental health professionals, teachers, law enforcement and many others. Because of COVID-19, all services are currently being offered through telehealth or virtual platforms.

“The emotional impact of COVID-19—including stress, anxiety, worry and the effects of isolation and social distancing—is expected to extend long after the public health crisis is over,” said Orange County Behavioral Health Director Dr. Jeffrey Nagel. “This fundraising initiative allows us to get ahead of the curve by expanding suicide prevention services for residents throughout Orange County.”

About Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services transforms lives by providing mental health, substance use and suicide prevention services in communities where poverty or stigma limits access to care. Didi Hirsch’s first-in-the-nation comprehensive Suicide Prevention Center operates two 24/7 English/Spanish hotlines: the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for anyone who is or knows someone in a crisis, and the national Disaster Distress Helpline for anyone in distress as a result of natural or manmade disasters. The Center also provides crisis services and therapy for people affected by suicide, as well as prevention training for students, teachers, police and first responders.  Over 157,000 children and adults were served in 2019 at 10 locations and 120 schools in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Learn more at www.didihirsch.org

About the Los Angeles Angels

The Los Angeles Angels joined Major League Baseball as an expansion team in 1961 and have since gone on to win nine American League Western Division Championships, host three All-Star games and capture the 2002 World Series Championship. Over its 60 -year history, the franchise also boasts five MVP’s, two Cy Young winners, three Rookie of the Year winners, 38 Rawlings Gold Glove winners and 157 All-Stars. Visit the Angels online at www.Angels.com, follow on Twitter and Instagram @Angels and like on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Angels. For media information, visit www.angelspressbox.com.

About the Orange County Health Care Agency Behavioral Health Services

The OC Health Care Agency’s Behavioral Health Services team provides a culturally-competent and client-centered continuum of behavioral health (mental health and substance use disorder) care, which includes crisis, prevention, early intervention, outpatient, residential and inpatient services for all eligible Orange County residents. For information, health and well-being resources during COVID-19, go to OCgov.com/COVID.