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September 3, 2024 (Work Session) Page
<br />Molly Murray, Extension Agent, provided a brief overview of the efforts
<br />made to promote change, create awareness, and prevention of Suicide awareness
<br />and prevention. Ms. Murray introduced Nihar Kummetha, Youth Commissioner, who
<br />read the proclamation aloud.
<br />UPON MOTION of Commissioner Furr, seconded by Vice Chairman Shue and
<br />unanimously carried, the Board suspended the Rules of Procedure due to time
<br />constraints.
<br />UPON MOTION of Vice Chairman Shue, seconded by Commissioner Wortman and
<br />unanimously carried, the Board adopted the proclamation.
<br />Chairman Morris commended the Youth Commission for taking a stance on
<br />mental health.
<br />Proclamation No. 2024-19
<br />PROCLAMATION - SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION WEEK
<br />SEPTEMBER 8th - 14th 2024
<br />SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION WEEK - SEPTEMBER 8th - 14th 2024
<br />"CHANGING THE NARRATIVE: HOPE LIVES"
<br />WHEREAS, September 10 was established in 2003 as World Suicide Prevention
<br />Day by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) in
<br />conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO) to draw attention to
<br />suicide as an important global public health issue, and IASP has announced its
<br />2024-2026 theme as "Changing the Narrative on Suicide" to promote discourse and
<br />changing public perception of this complex issue from silence and stigma to
<br />openness, understanding and support while promoting systemic responses based on
<br />the notion that suicides are preventable; and
<br />WHEREAS, since 2008 September has been recognized as National Suicide
<br />Prevention Month by SAMHSA, the CDC, and other governmental and non -governmental
<br />organizations concerned with public health and mental health in particular as
<br />a means of focusing attention on suicide, its warning signs, and how to seek
<br />assistance; and
<br />WHEREAS, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline became nationally available
<br />on July 16, 2022, enabling callers to connect with local crisis counselors using
<br />the easy -to -remember three -digit number that people can access via phone, text,
<br />or chat, and since that time usage of the lifeline has dramatically increased
<br />though many people remain unaware of this resource; and
<br />WHEREAS, suicide remains a major public health challenge, with over 1,500
<br />North Carolinians dying by suicide annually and approximately 49,000 deaths by
<br />suicide in the United States; suicide is the eleventh leading cause of death in
<br />the United States, according to the CDC, and the second leading cause of death
<br />among individuals between the ages 10 and 34; and, according to the North
<br />Carolina Injury & Violence Prevention Branch, in 2022 there were 54,770 ED
<br />visits related to suicidal ideation and 14,154 ED visits related to self-
<br />inflicted injury in our state; and
<br />WHEREAS, each death by suicide directly impacts numerous family members,
<br />friends, coworkers, loved ones, and often the entire community; the vast
<br />majority of those who die by suicide have mental health issues, sometimes
<br />unrecognized and untreated; volunteer -based organizations such as the American
<br />Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) are committed to "save lives and bring
<br />hope to those who lives are affected by suicide"; and
<br />WHEREAS, Cabarrus County is committed to promoting protective factors
<br />against suicide, and suicide prevention requires a comprehensive, multi -level
<br />approach that encompasses strategies for prevention, early intervention,
<br />treatment, and postvention after a death has occurred; and by working
<br />collaboratively across sectors, we can create a more supportive and
<br />compassionate society where everyone feels valued and understood and suicidal
<br />behavior becomes less likely; and
<br />WHEREAS, Cabarrus County, along with organizations such as AFSP,
<br />encourages people to recognize that deaths by suicide are preventable, that
<br />there is no single cause for suicide and no single prevention program effective
<br />for all communities, that coping with stress, safety planning, and reducing
<br />access to lethal means must be part of routine health and behavioral care for
<br />all, and
<br />that everyone has a role to play in suicide prevention; and
<br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners for
<br />Cabarrus County, North Carolina, do hereby proclaim September 8-14, 2024 as
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