World Suicide Prevention Day, 2016

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 178 (Wednesday, September 14, 2016)]

[Presidential Documents]

[Pages 63355-63356]

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[FR Doc No: 2016-22291]

Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 178 / Wednesday, September 14, 2016

/ Presidential Documents

[[Page 63355]]

Proclamation 9489 of September 9, 2016

World Suicide Prevention Day, 2016

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Every year, too many people are taken from us by

suicide. These tragedies tear at families and

communities, leaving behind heartbroken loved ones who

suffer immeasurably. World Suicide Prevention Day is a

time to join with neighbors across the globe to

reaffirm our commitment to preventing suicide. Here at

home--thanks to dedicated crisis counselors on hotlines

and in schools; clinicians and other health

professionals in hospitals and mental health centers;

faith leaders, teachers, friends, and family members

who never give up on trying to make a meaningful

difference--lives have been saved. Together, we can get

people critical help when they are in crisis and raise

awareness of the importance of preventing suicide in

every community.

health centers;

faith leaders, teachers, friends, and family members

who never give up on trying to make a meaningful

difference--lives have been saved. Together, we can get

people critical help when they are in crisis and raise

awareness of the importance of preventing suicide in

every community.

It is critical that we recognize the connections that

mental health conditions and substance use disorders

have to suicide, as well as how other external factors,

including harassment, bullying, and discrimination, can

play a role. Suicide can touch any of us--regardless of

age, gender, or race--and leave a lasting mark on

communities. We must strive to build safe and

supportive environments and eliminate the stigma

surrounding mental health issues that too often

prevents people from seeking the care they need.

No one should feel alone when facing these challenges--

there is always hope, and always a helping hand. My

Administration has served as a partner in this

important effort through the National Action Alliance

for Suicide Prevention--a public-private partnership

through which the Federal Government has helped

champion suicide prevention. All Americans can make a

difference in this effort. Reach out to a friend, let

them know you are there in moments of need, and

encourage others to seek assistance--because empowering

others to find the strength to ask for help and lifting

up those who feel alone can save lives

champion suicide prevention. All Americans can make a

difference in this effort. Reach out to a friend, let

them know you are there in moments of need, and

encourage others to seek assistance--because empowering

others to find the strength to ask for help and lifting

up those who feel alone can save lives. The National

Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides immediate

assistance for all Americans at 1-800-273-TALK, and I

encourage you to call if you or someone you know is in

need of help. Veterans, service members, and their

loved ones can also call this number to reach the

Veterans Crisis Line, and they can also send a text

message to 838255.

The Affordable Care Act provides the largest expansion

of mental health coverage in a generation, and it has

helped increase access to quality, affordable health

insurance for all Americans. The Act prohibits insurers

from discriminating against people based on pre-

existing conditions like depression, expands mental

health and substance use disorder parity policies to

more than 60 million Americans, and requires that

Health Insurance Marketplace plans cover mental health

and substance use disorder services. Additionally, my

Administration proposed a new $500 million investment

to increase access to mental health care. And because

more than 20,000 Americans each year take their own

lives with a firearm, we must do all we can to ensure

people who need help get it and improve gun safety

technology that can help prevent suicides.

Administration proposed a new $500 million investment

to increase access to mental health care. And because

more than 20,000 Americans each year take their own

lives with a firearm, we must do all we can to ensure

people who need help get it and improve gun safety

technology that can help prevent suicides.

We also have to end the tragedy of suicide among our

troops and our veterans. These American heroes give of

themselves for our country, and

[[Page 63356]]

they deserve the best from us in return--so long as any

veteran is suffering or feels like they have nowhere to

turn, we have more work to do. In 2014, I announced 19

Executive actions to improve mental health care for our

veterans, members of our Armed Forces, and their loved

ones. And last year, to build on these efforts, I

signed the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American

Veterans Act to improve how we serve veterans with

post-traumatic stress and other illnesses. By

increasing peer support and outreach to service members

transitioning to civilian life, this Act makes it

easier for veterans to find the care they need when

they need it.

icide Prevention for American

Veterans Act to improve how we serve veterans with

post-traumatic stress and other illnesses. By

increasing peer support and outreach to service members

transitioning to civilian life, this Act makes it

easier for veterans to find the care they need when

they need it.

The theme of this year's World Suicide Prevention Day

is ``Connect. Communicate. Care.'' These words provide

a roadmap to reaching our universal goal of suicide

prevention--encouraging all people to reach out to

those who are suffering in silence, express when they

are in need of help, and lift up those around them. On

this day, we are reminded that help is available and

that a brighter future lies ahead. Let us honor the

souls we have lost too soon and vow to do everything in

our power to prevent suicide.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the

United States of America, by virtue of the authority

vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the

United States, do hereby proclaim September 10, 2016,

as World Suicide Prevention Day. I call upon citizens,

government agencies, organizations, health care

providers, and research institutions to raise awareness

of the mental health resources and support services

available in their communities and encourage all those

in need to seek the care and treatment necessary for a

long and healthy life.

citizens,

government agencies, organizations, health care

providers, and research institutions to raise awareness

of the mental health resources and support services

available in their communities and encourage all those

in need to seek the care and treatment necessary for a

long and healthy life.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this

ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord two

thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United

States of America the two hundred and forty-first.

(Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2016-22291

Filed 9-13-16; 11:15 am]

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