HomeMy WebLinkAbout211 - September 2023 Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month nr, won
0UNT-Y
Certificate of Recognition
September 2023 as Suicide Prevention
and Awareness Month
St. Lucie County recognizes September 2023 at Suicide Prevention and
Awareness Month in St. Lucie County, Florida.
It is nationally recognized that suicide deaths have been on the increase.
Last year, 211 Palm Beach and Treasure Coast's dedicated and highly
trained staff responded to over 11,300 requests for help from the people of St.Lucie
County. Of these,over 2,800 people had mental health and substance use concerns,
with 180 people requesting help with a suicide crisis.
The ensuing health, economic, and housing crisis has more recently taken
its toll on mental health with increases in suicidal ideation and deaths, substance
use, household violence, food insecurity, and more.
There is a call for a public health response to increase suicide intervention
and prevention efforts with increased community-level efforts and strategies.
211 is the central access point providing individuals and families with
guidance and crisis support via telephone or text any time of day or night and
continues as the regional responder for the newly branded national 988 Suicide and
Crisis Lifeline number.
211's highly trained and caring staff work 24 hours a day saving lives-
deescalating and stabilizing people in mental health or suicide crisis, and also
guiding people struggling with substance use disorder to connect with the help they
need.
I LO a �
D e Cathy ownsend, Chair
St. Lucie County Bo d of County Commissioners