Westmont, Illinois - Date Issued: September 26, 2023
At their September 21 meeting, the Westmont Village Board approved a National Suicide Prevention + Action Month Proclamation (N.S.P.A.M.P.) declaring September as National Suicide Prevention month in the Village of Westmont. Internationally, September is known as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and is intended to help raise the visibility of mental health resources.
"We are excited to have the Village of Westmont join us in adopting our annual National Suicide Prevention + Action Month Proclamation as a reminder to its constituents during September and beyond that IT'S OK NOT TO BE OK®!" said Bev Schwartz, Development Coordinator at Hope For The Day® (H.F.T.D.). H.F.T.D. is a non-profit movement empowering the conversation on proactive suicide prevention and mental health education.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
The importance of promoting positive mental health is more important than ever. Currently, suicide completion rates have surged to a 30-year high. It is estimated that one in four people report a mental health crisis in their life. Globally, over 703,000 suicides are reported each year, with many more going unreported. In the United States, more than 130 individuals complete suicide on a daily basis.
Some of the themes captured in the proclamation include:
- Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, race, orientation, income level, religion, or background.
- According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (A.F.S.P.), more than 48,000 people between the ages of 10 and 34 die by suicide every year in the United States.
- Global organizations such as Hope For The Day (H.F.T.D.) , national organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (N.A.M.I.), and local organizations like Suicide Prevention Services (S.P.S.) are on the front lines of a battle to open minds, save lives and restore hope.
- Everyone should understand that throughout life’s struggles we all need the occasional reminder that we are all silently fighting our own battles.
- People are encouraged to take the time to inquire as to the wellbeing of their family, friends, and neighbors and to genuinely convey appreciation for their existence by any gesture they deem appropriate.
- Everyone can help prevent suicide, and the Village of Westmont has resources available for constituents to grab without any questions.
SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCES
If you or someone you know needs help, please visit the H.F.T.D. website hftd.org/find-help and type in your zip code for a list of vetted social services including local mental health resources in our community.
Also, the 988 LIFELINE is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. 988 LIFELINE is committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency, contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - dial 9-8-8.
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