Board Matter
September 22, 2015
Proclaiming September Suicide Prevention Month in Fairfax County
Madame Chairman:
In the United States, one person dies by suicide every 13 minutes, and it is estimated that 5 million people in the United States have lost a loved one to suicide in the past 25 years. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of all deaths in the United States, and mental health problems will strike one in five adults each year regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion or economic status. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth between the ages of 15 and 24, and the second leading cause of death for college students, with tragic consequences not only for themselves but others as well.
The vast majority of suicidal individuals display warning signs. Organizations such as CrisisLink are dedicated to reducing the frequency of suicide attempts and deaths, and the pain for survivors affected by the suicides of loved ones through educational programs, research projects, intervention services, and bereavement services.
CrisisLink/PRS makes it possible for people of all ages, and really anyone in our community, to text their concerns to CrisisLink for prompt response, counsel and referral. All you have to do is text NEED HELP to 703-940-0888. CrisisLink handled 2,699 calls including follow-up calls to those at high risk. Of those calls, 311 were suicide related and required de-escalation by a Volunteer Crisis Counselor.
As unnecessary deaths from suicide continue to increase, particularly in times of economic crisis, the urgency to reach out to those in need is heightened. Therefore, to raise awareness I ask, without objection, that the board proclaim September as Suicide Prevention Month in Fairfax County.