Commissioners proclaim September Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and highlight 988

The Allegheny County commissioners read and adopted a proclamation recognizing September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and September 8 as 988 Day. Justin Davis, director of the local behavioral health authority, opened the presentation with a content warning and urged compassion when discussing suicide and mental health resources.

Davis cited local hospital data, saying, “Between 06/30/2021 and 06/30/2026, 2,067 unique individuals in our county had hospital encounters involving a diagnosis related to suicide and intentional self harm,” and noted the total number of hospital encounters rises to 3,724 when return visits are counted. He described 988 as a 24/7 resource and reported that, “since April of this year, Allegheny County has received 558 calls to 988,” using those figures to argue for continued outreach and crisis-resource promotion. Davis also invited residents to a 988 awareness event at the Queen City Chick-fil-A on Sept. 8 and a community awareness walk at Rocky Gap on Sept. 20.

The proclamation cites the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s national 988 campaign and frames suicide prevention as a countywide effort to reduce stigma and connect people to care. The board adopted the proclamation by voice vote; county staff said public education and follow-up services remain priorities.