title
To recognize September as National Suicide Prevention Month and to honor the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation for their advocacy and increasing awareness
body
WHEREAS, September is known as National Suicide Prevention Month and all month, mental health advocates and prevention organizations, unite to promote suicide prevention awareness; and
WHEREAS, The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF), launched in 2005 determined to bring about changes in perceptions regarding the negative connotation attached to suicide, mental illness, alcohol and drug abuse, and addiction; and
WHEREAS, The mission of OSPF is to “act as a catalyst and steward of statewide suicide prevention efforts by supporting community-based efforts to reduce stigma, promote education and awareness about suicide prevention, and increase resources and programs to reduce the risk of lives lost to suicide;” and
WHEREAS, In Ohio, roughly 1600 Ohioans die by suicide each year, an average of about 4 individuals per day. However, the OSPF uses the public health model to prevent suicides, across the state; and
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council does hereby pay tribute to National Suicide Prevention Month and we commend The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation for its advocacy; now therefore,