HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-08-22 Proclamation
PROCLAIMING SEPTEMBER 4 – 10, 2011 AS NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK
AND SEPTEMBER 10, 2011 AS WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY
WHEREAS, suicide is one of the most disruptive and tragic events a family and community can experience and
every year there are over 33,000 reported suicides in this nation and an average of 166 reported suicides in
Maine; and
WHEREAS, suicide is the second leading cause of death for Maine’s young people aged 15-24, and the 5th
leading cause of death for youth aged 10-14, taking a total of 93 young lives from 2005-2009, an average of
about 20 each year; and
WHEREAS, every child’s death is a tragedy and suicide claims more young people’s lives than homicide, cancer,
heart disease, AIDS and birth defects combined; and
WHEREAS, experts believe that, for every young life claimed by suicide, there are up to 100 non-fatal suicide
attempts by youth; and
WHEREAS, the stigma associated with mental illness and suicidality impedes suicide prevention by discouraging
persons at risk from seeking life-saving help and further traumatizes survivors of suicide; and
WHEREAS, public awareness of this problem is crucial to reduce the suffering and the loss of life and the risk
for human self-destruction can be addressed through awareness, education and treatment; and
WHEREAS, Maine has seen a noticeable reduction in reported youth suicidal behavior on the Maine Youth Risk
Behavior Survey; and
WHEREAS, the Maine Youth Suicide Prevention Program in the Department of Health and Human Services is
committed to excellence in suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, SUSAN M. HAWES, COUNCIL CHAIR OF THE CITY OF BANGOR, on behalf of the
City Council and the citizens of Bangor, do hereby proclaim September 4-10, 2011 as National Suicide Prevention
Week and September 10, 2011 as World Suicide Prevention Day.
Given, this the 22th day of August 2011.
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Susan M. Hawes, Mayor