The Cocoa Beach City Commission on Sept. 4 accepted a proclamation recognizing National Suicide Prevention Month and heard presentations from local mental-health advocates urging ongoing outreach and resources.

Janet Ginling, president and CEO of Space Coast Health Foundation, thanked the city for past support and noted the foundation's work to address mental-health stigma and access to resources across the Space Coast. Ginling cited Florida Department of Health statistics for 2023 and urged sustained local effort to support at-risk residents.

Ginny Gleason, representing the nonprofit Do It For Hunter, said national and local trends underscore the urgency of expanded awareness and services. She cited U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data for 2023 reporting roughly 50,000 deaths by suicide nationwide and said youth and young-adult rates have risen. Gleason described Do It For Hunter's local programs including distribution of 988 suicide lifeline stickers on school laptops and an annual community event, "Day of Hope," scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27 at Rockledge High School (event details at doitforhunter.org).

During the presentation a commissioner asked how overdose deaths are distinguished from suicides in national statistics; Gleason replied that verified suicides generally are classified by circumstances, death investigation and documentation, while overdose statistics and classification involve separate processes and can be more complex. She said the CDC and state reports cited in her remarks refer to verified suicide deaths.

Speakers and commissioners praised the ongoing interagency work to provide prevention resources and noted the city's prior support of similar efforts. The commission presented proclamations to the visiting advocates at the meeting.

The presentation did not include any direct city funding decisions; speakers encouraged continued community partnerships and participation in upcoming events.