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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER AS SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH IN COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, Suicide Prevention Month is observed every September as an opportunity to raise awareness about suicide prevention, reduce stigma around mental health issues, and to encourage open conversations and support for those affected by suicide; and
WHEREAS, though Suicide Prevention Month began in 2008, the observance evolved over time through the efforts of mental health advocates, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies; and
WHEREAS, this development began in 1975 thanks to activities sponsored by The American Association of Suicidology that culminated in the observance of National Suicide Prevention Week during the second full week of September, and was designed to inform and engage health professionals and the general public about suicide prevention and warning signs of suicide; and
WHEREAS, later in 1999, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher put out his Call to Action to Prevent Suicide, marking one of the earliest comprehensive efforts by the U.S. government to recognize suicide as a serious public health issue; and
WHEREAS, then in 2001 the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General launched the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, which became the blueprint for national suicide prevention efforts; and
WHEREAS, the first Recognized Suicide Prevention Day was observed on September 10, 2003, as a result of the collaboration between The International Association for Suicide Prevention and the World Health Organization; and
WHEREAS, on January 1, 2005, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline launched with a federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and would go on to establish 109 call centers and become known as the country’s reliable resource for those in suicidal crisis - with 2.2 million calls being answered annually by 2018; and
WHEREAS, on July 16, 2020, the FCC adopted rules to establish 988 as the nationwide, easy-to-remember 3-digit dialing code for people in crisis to connect with suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors, and later that October the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 was signed into law, incorporating 988 into statute as the new 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Veterans Crisis Line phone number; and
WHEREAS, since its official launch in July 2022, the 988 Lifeline has answered over 13 million calls, texts, and chats from people in need of support across the US and its territories; and
WHEREAS, despite these advancements in resources and awareness, suicide continues be a prevalent concern both in the United States and worldwide; and
WHEREAS, suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds worldwide; and
WHEREAS, every year over 700,000 people take their own life, one every 40 seconds, with many more who make suicide attempts; and
WHEREAS, 5.5 percent of U.S. adults have serious thoughts of suicide each year; and
WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 1,426 deaths by suicide in Illinois in 2024, or about 10.8 deaths for every 100,000 people in Illinois; and
WHEREAS, according to the Cook County Department of Public Health’s (CCDPH) 2025 Suburban Cook County Suicide Report, there were a total of 267 suicide deaths in 2023, with a notable increase in suicide rates among Black and Hispanic residents from 2018; and
WHEREAS, Black residents rate of deaths by suicide more than doubled in 2023 with 41 deaths compared to 18 in 2018; and
WHEREAS, Hispanic residents rate of deaths by suicide also nearly doubled with only 23 deaths in 2018 compared to 39 in 2023; and
WHERRAS, CCDPH’s report also found that Black high school students in suburban Cook County attempted suicide at three times the rate of their peers, while female teens were nearly three times as likely to visit the emergency department for suicide compared to their male peers; and
WHEREAS, according to the CDC, risk factors that increase the likelihood of suicide include financial problems or job loss, lack of access to health care, partner or family relationship problems, and bullying or social isolation; and
WHEREAS, suicide is preventable and there are actions and conditions that we as individuals and as a community can make to help protect those in mental crisis; and
WHEREAS, such actions include creating access to affordable and high-quality health care, promoting connection across our communities, reducing the stigma of discussing mental health concerns, and serving as a supportive friend, partner, or family member to those experiencing mental health concerns; and
WHEREAS, in order to better serve the mental health needs across Cook County, The Cook County Office of Behavioral Health was established by Cook County Health in 2023, particularly those from historically marginalized and underserved populations; and
WHEREAS, if you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, please call 988 to get connected to free, confidential support;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby recognize September as Suicide Prevention Month in Cook County and encourage all to engage in conversations and actions that help mitigate the stigma and rate of suicide across Cook County, Illinois, and worldwide.
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