Carroll County proclaims September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

The Board of Carroll County Commissioners on Sept. 3 adopted a proclamation designating September 2026 as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and the week of Sept. 13–19 as National Suicide Prevention Week in Carroll County.

Local advocates, including Ed Hale, urged attention to suicide prevention and described personal and regional incidents to underline the need for outreach. Hale said, “Everyone’s life matters. Your life matters,” and called for expanded community engagement and use of crisis resources. Presenters also highlighted the 988 crisis lifeline and local programs offering peer support and gun locks.

The proclamation cites national statistics and local data shared at the meeting, noting an asserted local rate presented to the board of about 30 per 100,000 compared with a national figure referenced as 14.4 per 100,000. County partners said they will mark National Suicide Prevention Week with events including a plan to place luminaries on the courthouse steps and to expand support-group offerings.

Commissioners moved to adopt the proclamation and voted to approve it. The board recorded the adoption as part of the meeting record and acknowledged that partner organizations will continue outreach and resource distribution across the county.