HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-14-2021; 4-b - Proclamation Designating September 2021 as Suicide Prevention Month 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: September 14, 2021
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-b
SUBJECT: Proclamation Designating September 2021 as Suicide Prevention Month
DEPARTMENT: County Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Quintana Stewart, Orange County
Proclamation Health Director, 919-245-2412
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation designating September 2021 as Suicide Prevention
Month in Orange County.
BACKGROUND: This month recognizes suicide as a serious public health problem that can have
long-lasting effects on individuals, families and communities. Everyone also recognizes that
suicide is preventable and that everyone can help by learning the warning signs, promoting
prevention and resilience and making necessary social changes.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the
proclamation.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated
with consideration of the proclamation.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with consideration of the proclamation.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign the attached proclamation recognizing September 2021 as Suicide Prevention
Month in Orange County.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 2021
AS SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH
WHEREAS, September is known as National Suicide Prevention Month and is intended to help
raise awareness surrounding suicide prevention resources available in the community; and
WHEREAS, suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, race, orientation,
income level, religion or background; and
WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control, suicide is the 10' leading cause of
death in the United States and was responsible for more than 47,500 deaths in 2019, which is
about one death every eleven minutes; and
WHEREAS, from 2014 through 2018, Orange County lost 70 lives to suicide; and
WHEREAS, suicide and suicide attempts affect the health and well-being of friends, loved ones,
co-workers, and the community; and
WHEREAS, every member of our community should understand that throughout life's struggles
we all need the occasional reminder that we are all silently fighting our own battles; and
WHEREAS, Orange County chooses to publicly state and place our full support behind local
educators, mental health professionals, athletic coaches, pack leaders, police officers, and
parents as partners in supporting our community in simply being available to one another; and
WHEREAS, all residents are encouraged to take the time to inquire as to the wellbeing of their
family, friends, and neighbors over the next few days and to genuinely convey their appreciation
for their existence by any gesture they deem appropriate;
NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim
September 2021 as Suicide Prevention Month in Orange County, recognizing suicide as a serious
public health problem that can have long-lasting effects on individuals, families and communities,
that suicide is preventable, and that everyone can help by learning the warning signs, promoting
prevention and resilience, and making necessary social changes.
This the 14t" Day of September 2021.
Renee Price, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners