City of Oakwood

WHEREAS, September is known around the United States as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and is intended to help promote awareness surrounding each of the Suicide Prevention resources available to us and our community. The simple goal is to learn how to help those around us, and how to talk about suicide without increasing the risk of harm; and

WHEREAS, suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, race, orientation, income level, religion, or background; and

WHEREAS, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), each year more than 41,000 people die by suicide; and

WHEREAS, suicide is the 10^th leading cause of death among adults in the US, and the 2^nd leading cause of death among people aged 10 – 34; and

WHEREAS, the city of Oakwood is no different than any other community in the country, but chooses to publicly state and place our full support behind local educators, mental health professionals, athletic coaches, pack leaders, police officers, and parents, as partners in supporting our community in simply being available to one another; and

WHEREAS, local organizations like the Suicide Prevention Center and national organizations like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) are on the front lines of a battle that many still refuse to discuss in public, as suicide and mental illness remain too taboo a topic to speak on; and

WHEREAS, every member of our community should understand that throughout life’s struggles, we all need the occasional reminder that we are all silently fighting our own battles; and

WHEREAS, residents are encouraged to take the time to inquire as to the well-being of their family, friends, and neighbors over the next few days and weeks, and to genuinely convey their appreciation for their existence by any gesture they deem appropriate. A simple phone call, message, handshake, or hug can go a long way towards helping someone realize that suicide is not the answer; and

WHEREAS, the 6^th annual “Out of the Darkness Dayton Walk”, in connection with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 20 at the Oakwood High School. The 2018 event had over 1,500 participants and raised over $55,000,

NOW, THEREFORE, under the power vested in me, I, William D. Duncan, Mayor of the city of Oakwood, do hereby proclaim the month of September 2019 as NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS month in Oakwood.