Carroll County proclaims September 2026 Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, highlights 988 lifeline

Brooke Fox, director of prevention services at the Carroll County Health Department, asked the board to recognize September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and to promote the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline. "My name is Brooke Fox, and I serve as the director of prevention services at the Carroll County Health Department," Fox said, describing the county's lock-and-talk initiative and local trainings such as QPR and Mental Health First Aid.

Christina Warren, the county's substance use and suicide prevention coordinator, urged collective community action, saying suicide prevention "isn't something any one person or organization can do alone." The board adopted the proclamation, which encourages residents and organizations to increase awareness, reduce stigma, secure lethal means where appropriate and share resources including calling or texting 988 for free, confidential, 24/7 support. Commissioners thanked the presenters and posed for a group photograph after the proclamation was read.