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Williamson County proclaims September 2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Summary
The Williamson County Commissioners Court on Sept. 9 unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing September 2025 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and highlighted local crisis resources and efforts to build a loss response team and expand early interventions for youth.
The Williamson County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing September 2025 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and urged residents to use local mental‑health resources.
Commissioner Long moved to adopt the proclamation; the motion was seconded and passed 5–0. The court’s action included language encouraging individuals to seek help and noting local crisis response connections for Williamson County callers to 911.
The proclamation and accompanying remarks emphasized the county’s recent behavioral‑health initiatives. Kathy Pierce, identified in the meeting as Commissioner Long’s executive assistant and chair of the county behavioral health task force, told the court: “It can affect anybody. It doesn’t matter of your race or age or economics. It impacts all families.” Pierce described a planned “loss team” to support people impacted by suicide and said the county is working to collect data to guide prevention and early intervention efforts.
Mike Maples, chief executive officer of Bluebonnet Trails Community Services, and Ruben Liao, described in the meeting as a Williamson County death investigator who has led the loss team effort, were introduced during the presentation. Pierce and other speakers credited partnerships among the county, Bluebonnet Trails and the local health district for faster crisis response through 911 dispatch and for linking people to longer‑term services.
Commissioner Long read statistics from the proclamation noting that suicide is the 12th leading cause of death nationally and among the leading causes of death for young people, and reminded residents that help is available 24/7. The proclamation text as read at the meeting directed that the county “recognizes September as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and encourages all individuals to stay connected and to not hesitate to seek mental health treatment.” Commissioners encouraged the court clerk to include the local crisis contact number in county outreach materials.
The court held a short recognition and asked for a group photograph following the vote.
