WHEREAS suicide is the 9th leading cause of death in Washingtom State; and
WHEREAS suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States
WHEREAS, it is estimated that over 3,699 hospitalizations in Washington were linked to intentional self-harm, including suicide attempts; and
WHEREAS, the number of people in Washington that died by suicide in 2022 is 1,234
WHEREAS, in 2022, 267 veterans and military personnel died by suicide in Washington State; and
WHEREAS, American Indian and Alaska Native communities in Washington had higher rates of suicide than all other racial and ethnic groups in the state; and
WHEREAS, suicide was the 2nd leading cause of deaths among youth 15-24 years old; and
WHEREAS, suicide most often occurs when stressors exceed the current coping abilities of someone
living with a mental health condition; and
WHEREAS, many people who died by suicide did not receive effective behavioral health services
due to the difficulties associated with accessing services by healthcare providers trained in best practices
to reduce suicide risk, prejudices and discrimination surrounding the use of behavioral health treatment; and
WHEREAS, while there is no single cause of suicide and no single suicide prevention program or
effort will be appropriate for all populations or communities, initiatives based on the goals detailed in the
National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and the Washington State Suicide Prevention Plan to increase
access to quality mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention services will help prevent
suicide;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jay lnslee, Governor of the state of Washington, do hereby proclaim
September 2023 as
Suicide Prevention Month
and September 10, 2023, as
Suicide Prevention Day
in Washington, and I encourage all people in our state to join me in this important observance.
2023 Suicide Prevention Month and Day Proclamation
