Proclamation from the State of Tennessee From the Office of the Mayor Suicide Prevention Awareness Month September 2012 WHEREAS, nationally, suicide is one of the most disruptive and tragic events a family and a community can experience. Annually, more than 30,000 lives are lost, and it is estimated that for every suicide there are 8-25 attempted suicides; and WHEREAS, suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people from the age of 15 to 24 in the United States and in Tennessee (source: Tennessee Department of Health), the ninth-leading killer overall in Tennessee, and the 10th-leading cause of all deaths in the United States; and WHEREAS, public awareness of this terrifying problem is the key to preventing further suffering and loss of life; and the risk for human self-destruction can be reduced through awareness, education and treatment; and as the highest risk for suicide is among the survivors of those who died by suicide or those who have attempted suicide; and WHEREAS, suicide prevention has been declared a national priority by the President and Congress; and Tennessee declares suicide prevention as a state priority and the legislature, in partnership with TSPN, implements the Tennessee Strategy for Suicide Prevention based on the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention; and WHEREAS, Tennessee is a national leader in the effort to prevent suicide, being one of the first states to develop a suicide prevention and evaluation plan covering the lifespan; and WHEREAS, the Governor of Tennessee has appointed a Suicide Prevention Network Advisory Council to coordinate the implementation of the Tennessee Strategy for Suicide Prevention; and WHEREAS, the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network is a grassroots collaboration of Tennesseans and organizations working to eliminate the stigma of suicide, educate the community about the warning signs of suicide, and ultimately reduce the rate of suicide in our state; and WHEREAS, the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network is also committed to excellence in suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention, NOW, THEREFORE, I, ________________, Mayor of ______________________, do hereby proclaim September 2012, as SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTHin ______________________, Tennessee, and do urge all citizens to work to prevent suicide and to raise awareness and tolerance around all people affected by this tragedy.