Governor Proclaims National Suicide Prevention Week 2024

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK

2024

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, suicide is a public health crisis impacting people of all ages across all socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds, with 1,525 people ages 10 and older dying by suicide in North Carolina in 2023, making it the ninth leading cause of death in our state, and the second leading cause of death for those ages 10-40; and

WHEREAS, suicide has a substantial impact on North Carolina; for every death by suicide in North Carolina in 2023, there were two hospitalizations and eight emergency department visits for self-inflicted injury, comprising 3,055 hospitalizations and 12,666 emergency department visits; and

WHEREAS, suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States, the third leading cause of death among teens and young adults ages 15-24, and the second leading cause of death among children ages 10-14 and individuals between the ages of 25 to 34; and

WHEREAS, public awareness of the warning signs and support networks, including the three-digit 988 number for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline available through call/text to everyone, is essential to continue lowering the rates of suicide; and

WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina encourages people to recognize that there is no single cause of suicide and no single suicide prevention program or effort that will be appropriate for all populations and communities; initiatives based on the goals detailed in the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and the North Carolina State Suicide Prevention Action Plan aim to prevent suicide by increasing access to evidence-informed services that address suicide, mental health, and substance use disorder;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim September 8 – 14, 2024, as “NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.

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Roy Cooper

Governor

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this fourth day of September in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-four and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.