Statement from Secretary Becerra on National Suicide Awareness Month and AFSP Suicide Prevention Resources

This statement was released on 9/1/2023 from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Becerra regarding a $12 million investment from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) which will be awarded to the Zero Suicide in Health Systems program next week as well as the investment in 988, the three-digit Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Also, here is a link for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention which provides educational resources to talk away the dark. As of 2021, per the CAMS (The Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality) website, suicide was the 11th leading cause of death nationwide and the 13th leading cause of death in PA with PA being ranked 36th in the nation for it’s suicide rate having had 1885 reported suicides in 2021 per the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). We can all work to fight suicide and encourage people to seek help.