By Her Excellency M. Jodi Rell, Governor: an

Official Statement

WHEREAS, suicide is the third leading cause of death for people ages 15-24 and university campuses are especially affected by student suicide; and

WHEREAS, universities tragically lose more than 1,000 students each year to suicide and one student-age person dies by suicide approximately every two hours in the United States; and

WHEREAS, one out of every 65 Americans is affected by the suicide of someone they know; and

WHEREAS, suicide is a community problem and thus there must be a community response through various initiatives to reduce suicidal behaviors; and

WHEREAS, National Suicide Prevention Week is being held September 7 - 13, 2008 and will be recognized at the University of Connecticut through a week long series of campus events aimed at awareness raising, knowledge building, and skill development to prevent suicidal behaviors on the UConn campus so that all students, staff, and faculty can feel acknowledged and help to prevent the despair that leads to suicide; and

WHEREAS, the efforts of a broad campus-wide coalition, including Counseling and Mental Health Services, Student Health Services, Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Student Union Board of Governors, Student Activities, Humphrey Center, Student Union, African American Cultural Center, Women's Center, Rainbow Center, Dean of Students, UConn Police Department, Academic Center for Exploratory Students, University Communications, Health Education, Office of Alcohol and Other Drugs, Center for Students with Disabilities, Area Association of Religious Communities, Parents Association, Residence Life, and Honors Programs will ensure an informative and wide-reaching Suicide Prevention Week; and

WHEREAS, with help and awareness, a great number of suicides can be prevented; now

WHEREFORE, I, M. Jodi Rell, Governor of the State of Connecticut, do hereby officially designate the week of September 7 - 13, 2008, as

SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK
in the State of Connecticut