As cities across the nation turn the calendar to September, Avondale has also stepped into the arena to bring attention to an often-veiled issue: suicide prevention. Proclaiming September as National Suicide Prevention and Action Month, Avondale's leadership seeks to amplify the conversation around mental health and provide critical support to its community. The city announced on Monday that a range of activities and educational workshops are planned, durably connecting Avondale residents with resources aimed at battling the mental health crisis.
The proclamation was bestowed upon two agencies specializing in mental health services, Southwest Valley Behavioral Health and Touchstone Services. Both organizations collaborate at the Arizona Complete Health Avondale Resource Center to offer much-needed services, including counseling and crisis intervention. Recognizing the complexities individuals face, notably those aged 10 to 34, the Mayor of Avondale, Kenn Weise, encouraged a community-wide commitment to education, according to a proclamation presented at the City Council meeting cited by the city's news release.
Avondale's City Manager, Ron Corbin, has tied his personal narrative into the campaign, sharing the deep losses of his father and uncle to suicide. In his dialogue with city employees, Corbin conveyed, "Many people suffering from mental health issues do not reach out for help for fear of being judged or misunderstood." He continued, emphasizing a community ethos, "I am reminding everyone that each of us can be someone’s angel by learning more about the warning signs of suicide and the resources that are available for someone who may need help," as reported by Avondale's own news release.
In alignment with this initiative, city employees are set to don yellow pins throughout September, a silent yet potent reminder of their commitment to raising mental health awareness. This visual gesture serves as a bridge to usher in open discussions on a subject often shrouded in silence. Furthermore, the city ensures that employees are not just armed with symbolic pins but are also equipped with essential resources on mental health topics, particularly with an eye to the grim statistic that over 48,000 people die by suicide in the U.S. annually, as highlighted by an alarming figure from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Support transcends local efforts, with the National Suicide Prevention Hotline providing a lifeline 24/7 at 988, offering confidential support and connecting those in need with local resources. For those in Avondale seeking more information or looking to be involved in Suicide Prevention Month can reach out to the Arizona Complete Health Avondale Resource Center at 995 E Riley Dr, or call 623-333-2703.
