Council proclaims September 2025 as Suicide Prevention Month; local groups note 31 deaths in Kootenai County through August

Coeur d'Alene — The City Council recognized September 2025 as National Suicide Prevention Month and presented a proclamation to local advocates, who emphasized prevention resources and reported local data.

Council President Dan English read a proclamation recognizing suicide prevention as a public health priority and encouraging alignment with the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and the 2023 Idaho Suicide Prevention Plan. Jeanette Lassiter and Alicia Keller accepted the proclamation on behalf of local organizations and thanked the council.

Local statistics cited during the presentation said that from January through August 2025 there were 31 lives lost to suicide in Kootenai County, including four people under age 24. Presenters highlighted available resources — notably the 988 crisis line, Panhandle Health District, NAMI, Mobile Crisis Response Team and local partner organizations — and urged community members to reach out when someone is in crisis.

“Hope and healing are possible and together we can help make sure no one has to face a crisis alone,” a presenter said.

Council action: The council approved the proclamation and presented it to local representatives; no formal vote was required for acceptance of the proclamation.

Context: Presenters emphasized that suicide is often preventable with timely intervention and encouraged residents to use 988 for immediate crisis support and to seek local services for ongoing care.