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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2021


** Governor Ducey Recognizes Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
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PHOENIX — Governor Doug Ducey issued a proclamation recognizing September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month to help raise awareness of the issue of suicide, mental health needs and available resources.

Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death in Arizona, and the second leading cause among the ages of 10-34. TheArizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) ([link removed]) is working with state agencies, organizations, and coalitions to show how everyone can play a role in preventing suicide.

“Across Arizona and in every state, suicide has claimed far too many lives,” said Governor Ducey. “We are working with state agencies, local leaders and community organizations to prevent these tragedies from happening. This Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we are highlighting the incredible organizations that work non-stop to help and support Arizonans in need.”

In coordination with the Arizona Department of Health Services, suicide prevention is included in the 2021-2025 Arizona Health Improvement Plan ([link removed]) . During the next five years, the program will be implemented by a group of public and private partners, including universities, state agencies, local health departments and nonprofits. Together, they will focus on:
* Increasing the number of individuals who receive an approved evidence-based suicide prevention training;
* Increasing access to mental health management resources, with a particular focus on remote options (telehealth therapy/ psychiatry/ addiction support appointments, virtual support groups, mental health first aid, etc.); and
* Increasing awareness and utilization of population-based mental health and wellness resources, outreaching where they exist and developing strategies to close gaps.

View the Suicide Prevention Awareness Month proclamation HERE ([link removed]) .

Read the full text below.

***

WHEREAS, the month of September 2021 is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, Arizona ranks 13th in the nation for deaths by suicide; and

WHEREAS, suicide is the 8th leading cause of death in Arizona; and

WHEREAS, 1,419 Arizonans died by suicide in 2019; and

WHEREAS, suicide is the second leading cause of death for Arizonans ages 10-34,

WHEREAS, on average, one person in Arizona dies by suicide every seven hours; and

WHEREAS, several organizations, including Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, Arizona Department of Health Services; and community organizations, universities, and other stakeholders will work to educate Arizona citizens about available suicide prevention support services for teens and adults.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Douglas A. Ducey, Governor of the State of Arizona, do hereby proclaim September 2021 as

SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH

and urge all citizens to join together as a community to learn to recognize the warning signs and how to respond if they suspect someone may be depressed, threatening suicide or suicidal.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Arizona

GOVERNOR

DONE at the Capitol in Phoenix on this first day of September in the year Two Thousand and Twenty One and of the Independence of the United States of America the Two Hundred and Forty-First.

ATTEST:

SECRETARY OF STATE

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