Office of the Mayor

Proclamation

Lawrence, Kansas

WHEREAS:      In the United States, one person dies by suicide every 17 minutes; and

WHEREAS:      Suicide is now the eleventh leading cause of all deaths in the state of Kansas, and the second leading cause of death for Kansans between the ages of 15 and 24, with a total of 345  deaths by suicide in our state during 2002; and

WHEREAS:      In 2004, Douglas County lost ten people to suicide, causing deep pain to at least close friends and family members; and

WHEREAS:      The overall rate of deaths by suicide in our country has only slightly declined from record highs in recent years, the rate for those between the ages of 15 and 24 has more than doubled since the mid 1950’s, and the rate remains highest for adults 75 years of age and older; and

WHEREAS:      Most suicide deaths are preventable; and

WHEREAS:      Local organizations such as Headquarters Counseling Center, Douglas County Fire and Medical, and the Douglas County Sheriff's Department, advocate reducing the frequency of suicide attempts and deaths, and encourage local initiatives based on the goals contained in the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dennis “Boog” Highberger, Mayor of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, do hereby proclaim the week of September 4 – 10, 2005 as

“SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK”

                                                                                    Dennis “Boog” Highberger

                                                                                    Mayor

September 6, 2005