A proclamation has been signed by 42 states and one U.S. territory pledging to prioritize suicide prevention among U.S. veterans and the nation’s population at large.
PREVENTS representatives are hoping to homogenize the approach to suicide prevention across all 50 states by meeting with state and community leaders, enlisting state and federal government involvement, and making sure that word gets out before the suicide prevention drive’s proposed end date of March 2022.
“September is National Suicide Prevention Month,” said Wilkie, “and through the outpouring of support echoed by governors issuing state proclamations, their efforts assist with meeting the requirements of the president’s White House Task Force for PREVENTS.”
The President’s Roadmap, Wilkie explained, is offering an “essential, collaborative forum” for addressing the ongoing crisis of suicide among American citizens, with a special focus on U.S. veterans.
PREVENTS has been a work in progress since Executive Order 13861 was issued on March 5, 2019. Its holistic approach includes a national public health campaign, a focus on community integration, ongoing research, and practical strategies for better health and well-being among all American citizens.
To raise awareness, PREVENTS has so far held in-person meetings in Arizona, California, Florida, Tennessee, and Texas. It has met with state representatives in Indiana and Oklahoma virtually, and is working with veterans’ organizations, military organizations, business leaders, schools and universities, and faith-based communities to spread its message further.
“As we move forward to change the culture around mental health in general and suicide in particular,” Dahlen added, “we will continue to elevate and amplify the great work our states are already doing, as we leverage lessons learned and best practices to accelerate our efforts to heal families and save lives.”
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