PROCLAMATION

BY THESE PRESENTS, BE IT KNOWN that the Board of Education of Spring Hill Unified School District 230, Johnson and Miami Counties, Kansas, presents this Proclamation for recognition of

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH

Whereas, September is Suicide Prevention Month across the United States and in Johnson and Miami Counties which help promote resources and awareness around the issues of suicide prevention; and; 

Whereas, in the United States, one person dies by suicide every 11.9 minutes, with 44,193 deaths by suicide in our country during 2015; and suicide was the second leading cause of death for the 15-24 age group in the state of Kansas; and;

Whereas, each person's death by suicide intimately affects at least six other people, with over 250,000 newly bereaved each year; and;

Whereas, suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. Many people who struggle with thoughts of suicide have not received effective behavioral health services for many reasons, including the difficulty of accessing services, the stigma of behavioral health treatment and the stigma associated with losing a loved one to suicide; and;

Whereas, the Spring Hill Board of Education is committed to saving and supporting life, with our community partners, through awareness, education and outreach; and;

Whereas, far too many Johnson and Miami County residents die by suicide each year, and most of these deaths are preventable;

Therefore, be it resolved that the Board of Education of Spring Hill Unified School District 230 of Johnson and Miami Counties, Kansas, does hereby proclaim September 2019, as "Suicide Prevention Month," and urges all citizens to recognize and participate in its observance.

Signed and presented this the 9th day of September in the year 2019, by DOUG UPDIKE, Board of Education President.