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8 <br /> 1 WHEREAS, all residents are encouraged to take the time to inquire as to the wellbeing of their <br /> 2 family, friends, and neighbors, to listen to their concerns, and convey appreciation for their <br /> 3 existence; <br /> 4 <br /> 5 NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim <br /> 6 September 2021 as Suicide Prevention Month in Orange County, recognizing suicide as a <br /> 7 serious public health problem that can have long-lasting effects on individuals, families and <br /> 8 communities, that suicide is preventable, and that everyone can help by learning the warning <br /> 9 signs, promoting prevention and resilience, and making necessary social changes. <br /> 10 <br /> 11 This, the 14th Day of September 2021. <br /> 12 <br /> 13 <br /> 14 <br /> 15 A motion was made by Commissioner Hamilton, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to <br /> 16 approve the proclamation, as amended, designating September 2021 as Suicided Prevention <br /> 17 Month in Orange County, and authorize the Chair to sign. <br /> 18 <br /> 19 Roll call ensued <br /> 20 <br /> 21 VOTE: Unanimous <br /> 22 <br /> 23 Chair Price said in past years, the Health Department has organized events at local <br /> 24 parks together to bring awareness and understanding around this issue, but this is not <br /> 25 happening this year due to the pandemic. <br /> 26 Commissioner Hamilton said someone who is contemplating suicide is in pain and we <br /> 27 need to be willing to help them seek help. She said talking about suicide does not cause it, but <br /> 28 rather it is the silence that can kill. She encouraged people to get immediate help at 1-800-273- <br /> 29 TALK, call 911, or go to the hospital emergency department in a crisis. She said the Orange <br /> 30 County website has a page that briefly educates on the signs and what to do. She said Orange <br /> 31 County hopes to have its own crisis center. <br /> 32 Chair Price said suicide ideation and suicide have increased amongst teenagers and <br /> 33 young people during pandemic. <br /> 34 Commissioner Fowler thanked Commissioner Hamilton for her serious approach to this <br /> 35 topic. She said it is always important to prioritize self-care, but especially during the pandemic <br /> 36 and if things start to feel worse reach out to friends and professionals in the community to <br /> 37 hopefully prevent those feelings from reaching a crisis point. <br /> 38 <br /> 39 c. Orange County Preparedness Month Proclamation <br /> 40 The Board approved a proclamation declaring September 2021 as "Orange County <br /> 41 Preparedness Month". <br /> 42 <br /> 43 BACKGROUND: <br /> 44 National Preparedness Month is recognized each September to promote family and community <br /> 45 disaster planning now and throughout the year. The theme of this year's National Preparedness <br /> 46 Month is "Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love." <br /> 47 <br /> 48 Following 2020, North Carolina has continued to experience an unusually high volume of <br /> 49 disasters, to include the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, winter weather, severe weather <br /> 50 (including tornadoes), and infrastructure disruptions. So far this year, Orange County has <br /> 51 experienced multiple watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service for severe <br />