NEVADA NATIONAL GUARD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY IN NEVADA

WHEREAS, September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, when people across the world unite to demonstrate commitment and action to prevent suicides; and;

WHEREAS, the rate of Servicemembers who take their own lives has been rising and the rate of suicide in the National Guard is now 27 suicides per 100,000 Soldiers or Airmen; and;

WHEREAS, suicide is the ninth leading cause of death for people ages 10-64 in the United States, claiming the lives of more than 48,000 people in 2021 alone; and;

WHEREAS, an estimated 12.3 million American adults seriously pondered suicide, 3.5 million planned a suicide, and 1.7 million attempted suicide in 2021; and;

WHEREAS, the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health is a major barrier to care for individuals with thoughts of suicide; and;

WHEREAS, promoting connectedness, removing barriers to care, and creating supportive environments help to prevent suicides and suicidal thoughts and behaviors; and;

WHEREAS, the Nevada National Guard and the Nevada Department of Veterans Services will conduct the Second Annual Suicide Prevention Forum for Nevada Guard soldiers, airmen, families, veterans, and civilians;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOE LOMBARDO, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim September 29, 2023 as

NEVADA NATIONAL GUARD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY IN NEVADA