World Suicide Prevention Day, 2016

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.

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. 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.

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

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.

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.

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.