Local advocate urges community action for Suicide Prevention Month during commissioners’ meeting
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Summary
A local advocate spoke during public comment to mark Suicide Prevention Month, emphasizing stigma reduction, available resources and community events, and encouraging conversation as prevention.
During the public-comment portion of the meeting, Tony Cooper of Wing Support addressed the commissioners to mark Suicide Prevention Month. Cooper cited local and national organizations including the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and urged the community to reduce stigma and to open conversations about mental health.
"The overreaching theme is suicide is preventable, and our community has resources available," Cooper said. He encouraged residents to ask questions and listen to those who may be struggling, and he pointed listeners to local events and online resources that raise awareness. The board acknowledged the comment and thanked him.
An online commenter (read into the record) also urged spreading awareness for issues that adversely affect children but the meeting host indicated that non‑agenda online comments would be left in the public record and not read aloud beyond the first statement. No board action followed these public comments; they were recorded as part of the meeting’s public-comment period.