RESOLUTION
BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT COLLINS-BELLAMY, MAJORITY LEADER RUBBO, MAJORITY WHIP NORMAN, MINORITY LEADER BREEN, COUNCILMEMBERS, PINEDA-ISAAC, DIAZ AND MERANTE:
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RESOLUTION OF THE YONKERS CITY COUNCIL PROCLAIMING SEPTEMBER 2025 AS “NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH.”
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Whereas, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and the second leading cause of death among individuals between 10 and 34 years of age;
Whereas, in the United States the suicide rate increased over the last two decades by approximately 35 percent from 10.5 suicides for every 100,000 individuals to 14.2 suicides for every 100,000 individuals, with an estimated 1,400,000 suicide attempts each year in the United States;
Whereas, preventing and identifying the risk of suicide is uniquely difficult as more than half of individuals who die by suicide did not have a known mental health condition;
Whereas, according to the CDC, many factors contribute to suicide among individuals with and without known mental health conditions, including challenges related to relationships, substance use, physical health, and stress regarding work, money, legal problems, or housing, all contributing to a sense of hopelessness;
Whereas, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 20 members of the Armed Forces on active duty, members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who are not on active duty, or veterans die by suicide each day, resulting in more than 7,000 deaths each year;
Whereas, here in the City of Yonkers the City Council, together with the Office of the Mayor, are committed fostering a sense of community and sense of compassion and respect for one another—residents and visitors alike—as one way to make people’s lives better;
Whereas, the City Council, together with the Office of the Mayor, are committed to making government accessible and helpful to people;
Now Therefore Be it Resolved, that the Yonkers City Council hereby proclaims September 2025 as National Suicide Awareness Month in the City of Yonkers and encourages all to reflect on a suicide rate in this country that we cannot accept and how we may convey to those vulnerable among us how much we appreciate them.