HomeMy WebLinkAboutR08-105 Designation National Suicide Prevention WeekCommissioner ~ S-~
of the following Resolution:
moved adoption
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO
RESOLUTION N0.2008-~~
Designation of September 7 -13, 2008
as National Suicide Prevention Week
WHEREAS, suicide is the 11 ch leading cause of all deaths in the United States and the 3ra leading
cause of death among individuals between the ages of 15 and 24; and
WHEREAS, in the United States, one person completes suicide every 16 minutes; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that 5 million people in the United States have lost a loved one to suicide;
and
WHEREAS, 52% of people who die by suicide use a firearm and guns stored in the house are used for
suicide 40 times more often than for self-protection; and
WHEREAS, the overall suicide rate in our country has only slightly declined from record highs in
recent years, the suicide rate for those 15-24 years old has more than doubled since the 1950s and the
suicide rate remains highest for adults 75 years of age and older; and
WHEREAS, the stigma associated with mental illness and suicidality works against suicide
prevention by discouraging persons at risk from seeking life-saving help and further traumatizes
survivors of suicide; and
WHEREAS, statewide suicide prevention efforts should be developed and encouraged to the
maximum extent possible; and
WHEREAS, organizations such as the American Association of Suicidology and HEARTBEAT,
which are dedicated to reducing the frequency of suicide attempts and deaths and the pain of those
affected by suicides of loved ones through educational programs, research projects, intervention
services and bereavement services urge that we:
1. Recognize suicide as a national and state public health problem and declare suicide
prevention to be a statewide priority;~t{~,c~l
2. Acknowledge that no single suicide prevention program or effort will be appropriate for
all populations;~I~,C~
3. ~" courage initiatives based on the goals contained in the National Strategy for Suicide
revention:
A. Promote awareness that suicide is a public health problem that is preventable.
B. Develop broad-based support for suicide prevention.
C. Develop and implement strategies to reduce the stigma associated with being a
consumer of mental health, substance abuse and suicide prevention services.
D. Develop and implement community-based suicide prevention programs.
E. Develop and implement community-based suicide bereavement support
services.
F. Promote efforts to reduce access to lethal means and methods of self-harm.
G. Implement training for the recognition of at-risk behavior and for the delivery of
effective treatment.
H. Develop and promote effective clinical and professional practices.
I. Increase access to, and community linkages with, mental health and substance
abuse services.
J. Improve reporting and portrayals of suicidal behavior, mental illness and
substance abuse in the entertainment and news media.
K. Promote and support research on suicide and suicide prevention.
L. Improve and expand surveillance systems for suicidal behavior.
WHEREAS, a great many suicides are preventable;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of County Commissioners hereby
designate September ?through September 13, 2008 to be "National Suicide Prevention Week" in the
county of Eagle in the Sate of Colorado.
COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF
COLORADO, by and Through Its
ONERS
By:
Peter F. Runyon
County Com
~~•• , Dcrv~t~
Chairman
Sara fisher ~
C i ~ Toner
enconi
Commissioner
Commissioner~L~ti°.;b~.a ~ seconded adoption of the foregoing resolution. The roll having been
called, the vote was as follows:
Commissioner Runyon ~,ti
Commissioner Fisher ~-IL~ti
CommissionerMenconi ~~, i
This Resolution passed by~ /66 vote of the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Eagle,
State of Colorado.
Clerk to the Board of