In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, the Nevada Office of Suicide Prevention is asking for your help in turning the skyline purple and turquoise from Sunday, September 4 through Saturday, September 10 to remember lives lost to suicide and remind all Nevadans that they are not alone.
Each year, more than 800,000 people worldwide die by suicide, including nearly 46,000 Americans. In Nevada, there were 603 deaths from suicide in 2020, and on average, one Nevadan dies by suicide every 14 hours. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-34 in the Silver State, and ninth leading cause for all Nevadans. But our efforts are helping. Nevada no longer ranks in the top 10 states across the nation for suicide.
"National Suicide Prevention Awareness week and month is an opportunity to shine a bright light on an important public health concern that affects all Nevadans," said Misty Vaughan Allen, Nevada's Suicide Prevention Coordinator. "Please join us in coloring our state in purple and turquoise to let those grieving a loss to suicide, or those needing extra support, know they are not alone. We aim to light up our state with involvement, connection, and hope.”
In partnership with the Nevada Coalition for Suicide Prevention and Hope Means Nevada, Nevada will remember the lives lost to suicide and promote hope across the state, thanks to: Renown Health, Grand Sierra Resort, Circus Circus at the Row, Reno Aces, High Roller Observation Wheel at the LINQ Promenade, Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas, and partnerships with the cities of Las Vegas and Reno.
“I’m proud to help bring awareness to Suicide Prevention Month, by turning both the Governor’s Mansion and the Capitol building Carson City purple,” said Governor Steve Sisolak. “There’s lots of hard work still ahead, but Nevada continues to take significant steps towards getting to our goal of zero suicides. One suicide is too many.”
This year marks the 19th annual World Suicide Prevention Day, to be recognized on September 10 with events state and nationwide.
“With teens experiencing heightened levels of stress, anxiety and depression, Hope Means Nevada is here to offer a safe community and resources when they are hurting," said Ciera Bellavance, Executive Director, Nevada Medical Center. "We are here to spread awareness of Nevada's mental health movement as well as critical mental health resources such as 988, the new three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline."
If you or someone you know is struggling, call/text/chat with a crisis counselor at 988 today. To learn more about the Office of Suicide Prevention, head to suicideprevention.nv.gov.
Department of Health and Human Services:
The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) promotes the health and well-being of its residents through the delivery or facilitation of a multitude of essential services to ensure families are strengthened, public health is protected, and individuals achieve their highest level of self-sufficiency. The Department is comprised of five Divisions along with additional programs and offices overseen by the DHHS Director’s Office. For more information go to www.DHHS.nv.gov.
Content provided by the Department of Health and Human Services, State of Nevada.
Kendall Holcomb
kholcomb@health.nv.gov
Original source can be found here.
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