HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRO-2022-014-Proclamation Designating September 2022 as Suicide Prevention Month ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 2022
AS SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH
WHEREAS September is known as National Suicide Prevention Month and is intended to help
p
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 North Carolina Injury Violence and Prevention Branch , suicide is the
second leading causes of death for youth in North Carolina ages 10 to 18 , and the third leading
cause of death for those ages 19 to 341 . ; and
WHEREAS , from 2016 to 2020 , Orange County lost 72 lives to suicide2 ; 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 its full support behind the 988
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline , 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 2022 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 20to D S 2022 Day of September .
Re ee Pric , Chair
Orange County Board of Co i si
1 NC DHHS (2022) . Suicide and Self-Inflicted Injury Data; Injury and Violence Prevention Branch . Accessed fro '', r ¢ � <
https : //www. cdc . gov/suicide/'facts/index . html
2 NC DHHS (2022) . Suicide Trends and Demographics ; Suicide — Orange County, 5 -year Rate ; Accessed from
https : //dashboards . ncdhhs .gov/tiDPH/views/NCVDRSDashboard/NC -
VDRSDashboard? %3AshowAppBanner=false & %3Adisp_lay count=n& %3AshowVizHome=n&% 3Aorigin=viz share link&
%3AisGuestRedirectFromVizportal=y&% 3Aembed=�,