SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH
September 2025
WHEREAS, recognizing Suicide Prevention Awareness Month honors the memory of those who have lost their lives to suicide and uplifts mental health as a topic that should be discussed openly and without fear of judgment or stigma, ensuring that everyone experiencing a mental health crisis can receive support; and WHEREAS, the Palo Alto City Council recognizes death by suicide as a public health problem and suicide prevention as a community responsibility; and
WHEREAS, suicide prevention efforts should be developed and encouraged to the maximum extent possible.
As of May 2023, every city in Santa Clara County has formally adopted a city suicide prevention policy, increasing collaborative efforts with the County’s Suicide Prevention Program , helping bring awareness to this important issue, and saving lives; and
WHEREAS, locally we have many resources, including Project Safety Net , a collaborative community network united by a common mission in fostering youth well-being in Palo Alto, which was established in 2009.
Project Safety Net coalition partners are collectively dedicated to reducing the frequency of suicide attempts and the pain of survivors by promoting and providing mental health services, outreach and education, policy advocacy, and program evaluation; and
WHEREAS, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention recognizes the entire month of September as National Suicide Prevention Month, and September 10th is recognized as World Suicide Prevention Day, established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in conjunction with the World Health Organization.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ed Lauing, Mayor of the City of Palo Alto, on behalf of the entire City Council, do hereby proclaim the month of September 2025 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
Presented: September 29, 2025
______________________________
Ed Lauing
Mayor
Proclamation