Lackawanna County proclaims September 2025 Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month

The Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 3, 2025, proclaimed September 2025 as Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month and heard brief remarks from county behavioral-health staff about local resources and outreach.

The proclamation, read into the record by a county official, cited national and state data on suicide as a leading cause of death among younger and middle-aged adults and urged development and encouragement of local and statewide prevention efforts. The resolution named the Lackawanna–Susquehanna behavioral health, intellectual disabilities and early intervention program as a county partner in connecting residents to services.

Mickey Drexel of the county behavioral health office said suicide is a complex public-health issue and highlighted resources available locally and nationally, including the 988 crisis lifeline (press 1 for veterans) and local partners such as the Scranton Counseling Center and the Scranton Veterans Center. Drexel outlined five simple actions from the federal “be the 1” campaign: ask, be present, keep individuals safe, help connect them to supports, and follow up.

Commissioners and a county suicide-prevention alliance member noted the alliance meets bimonthly and described ongoing outreach focused this year on veteran resources. The commissioners recorded the proclamation in the meeting minutes as an official recognition.

The county’s announcement accompanies existing statewide and federal campaigns; Drexel encouraged residents who are worried about someone to contact 988 or local crisis providers for confidential help.