Dated: September 11, 2024
IN RECOGNITION OF SEPTEMBER AS
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH
WHEREAS, September is known around the United States as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month when mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness and the 2024 theme is “Love Over Loneliness”; and
WHEREAS, the City of South San Francisco will join the country, state and county in honoring Suicide Prevention Month in September, National Suicide Prevention Week (Sept 8-14) and World Suicide Prevention Day (Sept 10) to spread the message that suicide can be prevented.
We believe suicide is not inevitable for anyone, and by starting conversations, providing support, and directing help to those who need it, we can prevent suicides and save lives; and WHEREAS, in 2023, 65 people died by suicide in San Mateo County and 16,568 calls were received by the San Mateo County Crisis Line (run by Star Vista Crisis Center), including 1,033 (6%) calls which were routed through 988; and
WHEREAS, the South San Francisco community is urged to play a role in supporting each other and preventing suicide by knowing the signs of suicide, finding the words of support and reaching out to local resources such as dialing or texting 988 or contacting National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI); and
WHEREAS, evidence shows that providing support services, talking about suicide, reducing access to means of self-harm, and preventing loneliness by following up with loved ones, we can help others; and
WHEREAS, it is essential that we educate residents about suicide, mental health and substance abuse problems and the ways they affect all people in the community; and WHEREAS, the City of South San Francisco continues what began as the Community Wellness and Crisis Response Team pilot program in San Mateo County to incorporating a mental health clinician from StarVista within the South San Francisco Police Department’s service model to provide improved emergency response to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of South San Francisco does hereby proclaim September as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and we are united in raising awareness that prevention is possible, treatment is effective, and people do recover.
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James Coleman, Mayor
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Eddie Flores, Vice Mayor
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Mark Addiego, Councilmember
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Mark Nagales, Councilmember
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Buenaflor Nicolas, Councilmember