Austin proclaims Suicide Prevention Month; young advocates and state groups press for expanded services

Austin City Council on Sept. 25 proclaimed September 2025 as Suicide Prevention Month and heard testimony from young advocates and statewide organizations about gaps in mental‑health services and efforts to prevent suicide.

Council member Crystal Lane, representing District 6, said suicide is complex and urged work to “increase access to and deliver quality mental health care, substance use support and suicide prevention” as part of the city and county strategy. Lane cited the 2024 national strategy for suicide prevention and a joint City of Austin and Travis County suicide prevention strategy referenced in the city’s community health improvement plan.

Ayan Molodina, a 16‑year‑old high‑school student and vice chair of Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT), described personal experiences with obsessive‑compulsive disorder and depression and recounted hospitalizations after suicide attempts. Molodina said schools and communities must do a better job of supporting youth and described cultural stigma that can limit help‑seeking. “This National Suicide Prevention Month, we must all recommit ourselves to understanding the value of other people's lives, and helping when asked,” Molodina said.

Carson Domi, a board member of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Central Texas and executive director of the Coalition for Student Well‑Being, described AFSP investments and recent advocacy: “The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is proud to partner with the city and the state in addressing this complex challenge by investing $35,000,000 into suicide prevention research this fiscal year alone,” he said, and noted AFSP‑backed legislation that created a $28,000,000 student loan repayment and tuition assistance program for mental‑health professionals.

Greg Hanche, executive director of NAMI Texas, urged sustained state investment in the 988 lifeline, community crisis alternatives such as respite centers and mobile crisis outreach teams, and expansion of peer specialist programs to reduce ER and jail utilization for people in crisis. Hanche said local mental health authorities like Integral Care need resources to shorten waits for services.

The council presented a proclamation recognizing the scale of suicide as a public‑health issue, citing national statistics included in the proclamation text. The event was ceremonial; speakers called for continued coordination among city, county and statewide partners to expand crisis services, workforce supports and prevention outreach.