Proclamation - Suicide Awareness & Prevention Month

PROCLAMATION
CITY OF ELMIRAGE
NATIONAL SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH – SEPTEMBER 2024
WHEREAS, September is National Suicide Prevention Month in which mental health advocates,
prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention
awareness, raise the awareness of rising suicide rates, and work together to reduce the stigma surrounding mental
health; and
WHEREAS, we also recognize September 10 as World Suicide Prevention Day as a time to remember
those affected by suicide, to raise awareness, and to focus efforts on directing treatment to those who need it most;
and
WHEREAS, National Suicide Prevention Month is a time to remember the lives lost to suicide,
acknowledge the millions more who have experienced suicidal thoughts, and the many individuals, families and
communities that have been impacted by suicide; and
WHEREAS, the El Mirage Cares initiative exemplifies this commitment to bringing awareness by
focusing on mental health awareness and providing essential resources to individuals and families in need by way
of a public forum and social media campaigns; and
WHEREAS, though we recognize there is no single cause or single solution to suicide, we know that
access to support and treatment can save lives; and
WHEREAS, the theme for this year’s campaign, "Connect to Protect," emphasizes the importance of
building and maintaining strong, supportive relationships, which can significantly reduce the risk of suicide; and
WHEREAS, suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, with more than 49,000
people who died by suicide in 2022, which comes to 1 death every 11 minutes by suicide; and
WHEREAS, suicide rates returned to their peak in 2022 with suicide rates among males approximately
four times higher than the rate among females even though males make up 50% of the population but account for
nearly 80% of suicides; and
WHEREAS, according to the CDC, in 2022, 13.2 million adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.8
million made a plan for suicide, and there were 1.6 million attempted suicides; and
WHEREAS, people ages 75 and older had the highest rates of suicide in 2022, while suicide has been
identified as the 2nd leading cause of death among individuals aged 10-24, highlighting the critical need for
prevention efforts among all age groups; and
WHEREAS, one of the biggest obstacles in seeking mental health treatment is the stigma associated with
it; and
WHEREAS, suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, race, orientation, income level,
religion, profession or background, and it is crucial to recognize that mental health challenges are universal; and

WHEREAS, El Mirage, like every other community, is committed to supporting one another,
understanding that we are all silently fighting our own battles, and that public support and open discussions about
mental health are essential; and
WHEREAS, the collaborative efforts of El Mirage Cares, along with city leaders, local organizations, and
residents, seek to significantly contribute to improving the quality of life in El Mirage, fostering a sense of unity
and collective responsibility; and
WHEREAS, local organizations like El Mirage Cares, Speak Up, Stand Up, Save a Life, Teen Lifeline,
and national organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the National Suicide
Prevention Hotline are at the forefront of suicide prevention efforts, despite the taboo nature of discussing suicide
and mental illness; and
WHEREAS, every member of our community should take the time to check in on the well-being of their
family, friends, and neighbors, and to genuinely listen to them and convey their appreciation for their existence
through any appropriate gesture; and
WHEREAS, the City of El Mirage publicly supports those who work in the fields of mental health,
education, and law enforcement, recognizing their crucial role in suicide prevention and mental health advocacy;
and
WHEREAS, with September being recognized as "National Suicide Prevention Month," this
proclamation is intended to raise the visibility of mental health and proactive suicide prevention resources in our
community, to start conversations, reduce stigma, and help connect people with the appropriate support services;
and
WHEREAS, we encourage all residents of El Mirage to take time to educate themselves on mental health
through the resources provided, to recognize the importance of taking care of their mental health, and to support
one another through life’s challenges, and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Alexis Hermosillo, Mayor of El Mirage, do hereby proclaim the month of
September 2024 as National Suicide Prevention Month in the City of El Mirage and encourage all citizens to
support the efforts of organizations that provide education, outreach, and support in the fight against suicide.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of El Mirage to
be affixed this 4th day of September 2024.
___________________________________
Alexis Hermosillo
Mayor of El Mirage