PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY EAST PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL
DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2022 AS
SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH
WHEREAS, East Palo Alto will join the county, state and country in honoring Suicide Prevention Month (September), National Suicide Prevention Week (September 4-10) and World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10) to spread the message that suicide can be prevented; and WHEREAS, in 2021, 54 people died by suicide (34% decrease from 82 in 2020) in San Mateo County; and WHEREAS, in 2020, 12,297 contacts were received by the San Mateo County StarVista Crisis Hotline. In July 2022, the StarVista Crisis Hotline received a 10% increase compared to July 2021, likely due to the debut of the 988 number on July 16.; and WHEREAS, East Palo Alto residents are urged to play a role in supporting each other and preventing suicide by knowing the signs of suicide, finding the words to communicate and reaching out to local 24/7 resources, including our local San Mateo County StarVista Crisis Hotline (650-579-0350) or National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988 or 1-800-273-TALK; and WHEREAS, residents can also play a role in suicide prevention by supporting local Suicide Prevention Month events, advocacy days and communication campaign. Across the city, county and state, the 2022 September Suicide Prevention Month theme is “Take Action for Suicide Prevention – Thriving at All Ages”; and
WHEREAS, beyond September, East Palo Alto has joined the San Mateo County Mayors Mental Health Initiative where mayors across the 20 cities in San Mateo County have come together with the mission of promoting awareness of and access to mental health resources in their communities; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of East Palo Alto, State of California, hereby designates September 2022 as Suicide Prevention Month and calls upon everyone in our community to find their role in suicide prevention.
Dated: September 6, 2022
Ruben Abrica, Mayor