Mayor proclaims Suicide Prevention Month

LIHU‘E — Mayor Derek Kawakami this week proclaimed September as Suicide Prevention Month for the county.

Kawakami was joined by members of the Prevent Suicide Kaua‘i Task Force and Kaua‘i Police Department Chief Todd Raybuck at the Lihu‘e Civic Center.

“I ask the people of the Kaua‘i to help raise awareness of local and national mental-health and suicide-prevention resources available to our communities, and encourage all those in need to seek the care and treatment necessary for a long and healthy life,” said Kawakami.

For those experiencing a suicidal crisis or emotional distress, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers a free 24/7 hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and a National Crisis Text Line, 741741.

There is also a local program, Crisis Line of Hawai‘i at 1-800-753-6879. This, too, is a 24/7 service.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has a Hawai‘i chapter. For more information on AFSP Hawai‘i, visit afsp.org/chapter/afsp-hawaii//

There is a service aimed at assisting veterans in crisis, veteranscrisisline.net/.

For general information on suicide prevention, including common questions and myths, data and statistics and other resources and links, see the state Department of Health website, health.hawaii.gov/injuryprevention/home/suicide-prevention/information/.

If at any time you feel you are in danger or have an emergency, don’t hesitate to call 911.