HomeMy WebLinkAbout17-198RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2017 AS
"SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH"IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, has made the
following determinations:
1. September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and mental health providers
acrossthe nation are reaching out to communities to engage in open discourse, providingvital
information on how to detect the signs of suicide and what to do when they are apparent.
2. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the second leading
cause of death in Florida for people ages 10 to 34, and the leading cause of violent death in the
US for adults ages 35 to 65.
3. On the Treasure Coast and in Okeechobee, 66 people have died by suicide so far in 2017, with
541 people dying by suicide in the previous five years.
4. These staggering numbers don't adequately represent the families that have been torn apart
by suicide, nor the trauma resulting from the sudden and violent loss of a loved one that will
impact children and adults for years to come.
5. There is hope, however, because suicide is 100 percent preventable, through education,
outreach and treatment. It all begins with a conversation, one human helping another.
NOW,THEREFORE, BE ITRESOLVED bythe Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County,
Florida:
1. This Board does hereby proclaim the month of September 2017 as "SUICIDE PREVENTION
AWARENESS MONTH" in St. Lucie County, Florida.
2. This Board further asks all citizens to observe this month by re-educating themselves about risk
factors and resources, speaking up when someone they know is struggling, offering support
and caring words to those around them, remembering those who have chosen to no longer be
with us, and reaffirming the importance of working togetherto keep the community healthy.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 19`h day of September 2017.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ST. LUCIE F I
t
BY:
DEPUTY CLERK CH RMA