Memorandum
Date: September 19, 2023
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Elise Jones, Director Behavioral Health Services
Subject: Presentation of Proclamation Designating the Week of September 10, 2023 through September 16 as National Suicide Prevention Week.
Executive Summary:
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF LAKE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
PROCLAMATION
DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 10, 2023 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK
WHEREAS, September is recognized as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and the week of September 10th through September 16th is National Suicide Prevention Week, which individuals, organizations, and communities bring awareness to the ongoing epidemic of suicide, bring hope to those who are struggling, offer support to those who have lost loved ones, educate and de-stigmatize, provide resources, and community outreach to the community in an effort to continue to prevent suicide; and
WHEREAS, suicide remains the 11th leading cause of death in the United States and the 2nd leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 to 14 and 25 to 34; with 12.2 million people having thoughts of suicide, 3.2 million having made plans to attempt suicide, and 1.2 million who have attempted suicide;
WHEREAS, Lake County has the second highest rate of suicide per capita in California with 16 confirmed deaths per 100,000 total population by suicide in 2021;
WHEREAS, suicide affects everyone regardless of age, ethnicity, or background, and promoting and maintaining individual and community wellness, knowing the signs and symptoms of suicide, and provide adequate services to those in need will continually help in reducing and preventing suicide;
WHEREAS, recognizing the urgency of providing prevention and intervention services available to all residents of Lake County including those who are at high risk; and
WHEREAS, there are resources available including the 988 crisis line and text line, ...
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