The City of Alpena is supporting National Suicide Awareness & Action Month in September, and has launched suicide awareness activities for its employees, including videos, dress down for charity days and a yellow ribbon campaign.
The proclamation adopted by the Municipal Council this week, brings attention to the annual declaration that was created to raise the visibility of suicide, mental health and prevention services. The city’s proclamation was also adopted to “start the conversation, destigmatize it (suicide), and help connect people with the appropriate support services.”
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34, with more than 48,000 people dying of suicide annually in the U.S.
The city’s proclamation encourages all residents to take time to understand mental health through education, “and recognize that we need to take care of our mental health while we take care of each other.”
Mayor Matt Waligora goes on to encourage residents to “take part and be aware of this occasion in our community.”
