Brevard School Board proclaims Hispanic Heritage Month and Suicide Prevention Month

The Brevard County School Board unanimously adopted two proclamations during its Sept. 9 meeting: one designating Sept. 15'Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month and another recognizing September as National Suicide Prevention Month.

Board member Yvette Cruz introduced the Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation, which the board adopted by roll-call vote. Doctor Javier Molinares, president of the Brevard Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, accepted the proclamation and described long-term partnerships between the chamber and the district, including bilingual outreach and English-language integration efforts.

Cruz then presented a suicide-prevention proclamation recognizing September as National Suicide Prevention Month and encouraging education, stigma reduction, and access to school-based mental-health supports. The board approved the proclamation after brief discussion. Several community organizations accepted the proclamation: Space Coast Health Foundation, Do It For Hunter, Give Yourself a Reason, and Palm Point Behavioral Health.

Janet Ginling, president and CEO of Space Coast Health Foundation, said the adoption reflects broad local commitment, noting the county's network of town, city, school board and civic partners working on suicide prevention; she urged continued dialogue and community action. A representative from Do It For Hunter described upcoming community events including a ‘‘You Matter Day’’ and a Mustang Mile registration event.

Board members commented on recent declines in the district's suicide-risk inventory (SRI) numbers; they framed the proclamation as both recognition of local prevention work and a call to sustain partnerships that connect students to services.

Both proclamations were adopted by unanimous vote and will be accompanied by district outreach encouraging staff, students and families to participate in related community events and school-based activities.