September is Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month

Designated by the Board of Supervisors, the month of September 2021 will be recognized as Ferguson Township Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month and September 10, 2021, will be also recognized as Ferguson Township Suicide Awareness and Prevention Day. Local, statewide, and national suicide prevention efforts will be highlighted for increased awareness. 

Throughout the month, Ferguson Township will help build awareness on individuals and organizations in our community that have plans to highlight the problem of suicide and advocate its prevention. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 47,500 Americans die by suicide every year. The CDC also reports that suicide is the second leading cause of death for middle and high school aged students (12-18). Upsetting, right? 

One way you can help lower this statistic is to talk about it. Having open conversations about mental health and emotional struggles helps reduce the stigma - which the stigma has been cited for being a reason that many individuals opt not to seek help when they need it.

The CDC found that suicide was the tenth leading cause of all deaths in the United States in 2019. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, one person dies by suicide in Pennsylvania every four hours; making it the second leading cause of death for ages 10 - 34 and the fourth leading cause of death for ages 35 - 54.

Be encouraged to reach out for professional help if you or someone you shows any of the warning signs:

• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Exhibiting daring or risk-taking behaviors
• Acting anxious or agitated, behaving recklessly 
• Isolating from friends and family;
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs;
• Withdrawing from activities;
• Giving away prized possessions;
• Sleeping too little or too much;
• Visiting or calling people to say goodbye;
• Increased aggression and many others.

In addition, September 10, 2021, is designated as "Ferguson Township Suicide Awareness and Prevention Day". Ferguson Township will be highlighting resources for mental health on its social media channels throughout the day.

If you are someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Or use the Crisis Text Line: Text TALK to 741741. The Center for Community Resources offers a 24/7 Mobile Crisis Hotline which can be reached at 1-800-643-5432.

If you have lost a loved one to suicide, the impact can be intense and overwhelming. Know that you don't have to cope alone. Talk to a caring professional or join a support group to help you heal and move forward. You are not alone, and help is out there. If you or a loved one desire more information for local and national support, please visit our Mental Health Resource page. The National Alliance on Mental Illness also has a dedicated page to Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

View the full Ferguson Township Proclamation "Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month September 2021" below.