Board proclaims September 2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Kristen Kelly, public health director, presented Proclamation 2025‑016 recognizing suicide as a preventable public‑health problem and designating September 2025 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in Ouray County. The document cited regional data and urged actions to improve access to mental‑health, substance‑use and suicide‑prevention services. Kelly read the proclamation on behalf of Ouray County Public Health and Tri County Health Network and asked for the board’s support. A commissioner said the proclamation was personally important. Commissioner (name on record) moved to adopt Proclamation 2025‑016; Commissioner (name on record) seconded and the proclamation carried unanimously. The proclamation encourages local support for the county coalition (SPARC), advocacy to reduce disparities in access to care, and the development of postvention plans to respond to deaths by suicide. Kelly noted a virtual Talk Saves Lives session and local resources such as the 988 lifeline.