IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION declaring September National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 21739, September 16, 2024
INTRODUCED BY Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, in recognition of the 2024 National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, this Jackson County recognizes suicide as a public health problem and designates September as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month; and,
WHEREAS, we hold all those affected by suicide close in our hearts: the friends and family members taken by this public health crisis, the loved ones who mourn their heart-wrenching losses, and all the families and professionals working to support those in crisis; and,
WHEREAS, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Data & Statistics Fatal Injury Report in 2022, more than 49,400 Americans died by suicide with an estimated 1.6 million suicide attempts; and,
WHEREAS, during the last two decades, youth suicide has reached its highest rate in more than 20 years; and,
WHEREAS, according to the CDC, from 2007 through 2021, suicide rates for Americans ages 10 to 24 rose 62 percent; and,
WHEREAS, firearms account for more than half of all suicide deaths nationwide, and we must address this public health crisis to reduce gun violence in this country; and,
WHEREAS, there are many organizations, including Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and Students Demand Action, dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope through research, education, policies, advocacy, and resources for those who have lost someone to suicide, who struggle with suicidal ideation, or have otherwise been affected by suicide; and,
WHEREAS, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline plays helpful role in suicide prevention and mental health support by offering immediate and confidential assistance 24/7 to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress with a simple, three-digit number for people to call, text, or chat online; and,
WHEREAS, Jackson County joins in observation of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month with a commitment that all of us have a role to play in preventing this crisis by:
1. becoming better educated on the signs of suicide risk factors as well as actions we can take to help save lives,
2. elevating local suicide prevention resources; and
3. de-stigmatizing conversations around mental health while raising awareness to foster a culture of understanding and empathy;
now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED Jackson County does hereby designate September 2024 as “National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.”
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
________________________________
County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution No. 21739 of September 23, 2024, was duly passed on September 23, 2024 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas ________9_________ Nays _____0_________
Abstaining _____0________ Absent ____0________
_________________ ________________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature