During the September 23, 2024 City Council Meeting, the Council proclaimed September 2024 as National 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, World Suicide Prevention Day is observed each year on September 10; 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 and Prevention (CDC), more than 48,000 people died by suicide in 2021; and
WHEREAS, in 2021, suicide was among the top 9 leading causes of death for people ages 10-64 and the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 20-34; and
WHEREAS, organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 988 work to help individuals in crisis and provide resources to shed light on this highly stigmatized topic; 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, Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN) is committed to being a Zero Suicide organization and cultivate a network of providers who are engaged in the Zero Suicide philosophy.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that, Oakland Community Health Network hereby recognizes September 2024 as National Suicide Prevention Month. OCHN calls upon our individuals, government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses, faith-based organizations, and schools to recommit our state to increasing awareness and understanding of suicide prevention, and the need for appropriate and accessible services to assist individuals in crisis.