[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 178 (Wednesday, September 14, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 63355-63356]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22291]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 178 / Wednesday, September 14, 2016 
/ Presidential Documents  

[[Page 63355]]


                Proclamation 9489 of September 9, 2016

                
World Suicide Prevention Day, 2016

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Every year, too many people are taken from us by 
                suicide. These tragedies tear at families and 
                communities, leaving behind heartbroken loved ones who 
                suffer immeasurably. World Suicide Prevention Day is a 
                time to join with neighbors across the globe to 
                reaffirm our commitment to preventing suicide. Here at 
                home--thanks to dedicated crisis counselors on hotlines 
                and in schools; clinicians and other health 
                professionals in hospitals and mental health centers; 
                faith leaders, teachers, friends, and family members 
                who never give up on trying to make a meaningful 
                difference--lives have been saved. Together, we can get 
                people critical help when they are in crisis and raise 
                awareness of the importance of preventing suicide in 
                every community.

                It is critical that we recognize the connections that 
                mental health conditions and substance use disorders 
                have to suicide, as well as how other external factors, 
                including harassment, bullying, and discrimination, can 
                play a role. Suicide can touch any of us--regardless of 
                age, gender, or race--and leave a lasting mark on 
                communities. We must strive to build safe and 
                supportive environments and eliminate the stigma 
                surrounding mental health issues that too often 
                prevents people from seeking the care they need.

                No one should feel alone when facing these challenges--
                there is always hope, and always a helping hand. My 
                Administration has served as a partner in this 
                important effort through the National Action Alliance 
                for Suicide Prevention--a public-private partnership 
                through which the Federal Government has helped 
                champion suicide prevention. All Americans can make a 
                difference in this effort. Reach out to a friend, let 
                them know you are there in moments of need, and 
                encourage others to seek assistance--because empowering 
                others to find the strength to ask for help and lifting 
                up those who feel alone can save lives. The National 
                Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides immediate 
                assistance for all Americans at 1-800-273-TALK, and I 
                encourage you to call if you or someone you know is in 
                need of help. Veterans, service members, and their 
                loved ones can also call this number to reach the 
                Veterans Crisis Line, and they can also send a text 
                message to 838255.

                The Affordable Care Act provides the largest expansion 
                of mental health coverage in a generation, and it has 
                helped increase access to quality, affordable health 
                insurance for all Americans. The Act prohibits insurers 
                from discriminating against people based on pre-
                existing conditions like depression, expands mental 
                health and substance use disorder parity policies to 
                more than 60 million Americans, and requires that 
                Health Insurance Marketplace plans cover mental health 
                and substance use disorder services. Additionally, my 
                Administration proposed a new $500 million investment 
                to increase access to mental health care. And because 
                more than 20,000 Americans each year take their own 
                lives with a firearm, we must do all we can to ensure 
                people who need help get it and improve gun safety 
                technology that can help prevent suicides.

                We also have to end the tragedy of suicide among our 
                troops and our veterans. These American heroes give of 
                themselves for our country, and

[[Page 63356]]

                they deserve the best from us in return--so long as any 
                veteran is suffering or feels like they have nowhere to 
                turn, we have more work to do. In 2014, I announced 19 
                Executive actions to improve mental health care for our 
                veterans, members of our Armed Forces, and their loved 
                ones. And last year, to build on these efforts, I 
                signed the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American 
                Veterans Act to improve how we serve veterans with 
                post-traumatic stress and other illnesses. By 
                increasing peer support and outreach to service members 
                transitioning to civilian life, this Act makes it 
                easier for veterans to find the care they need when 
                they need it.

                The theme of this year's World Suicide Prevention Day 
                is ``Connect. Communicate. Care.'' These words provide 
                a roadmap to reaching our universal goal of suicide 
                prevention--encouraging all people to reach out to 
                those who are suffering in silence, express when they 
                are in need of help, and lift up those around them. On 
                this day, we are reminded that help is available and 
                that a brighter future lies ahead. Let us honor the 
                souls we have lost too soon and vow to do everything in 
                our power to prevent suicide.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim September 10, 2016, 
                as World Suicide Prevention Day. I call upon citizens, 
                government agencies, organizations, health care 
                providers, and research institutions to raise awareness 
                of the mental health resources and support services 
                available in their communities and encourage all those 
                in need to seek the care and treatment necessary for a 
                long and healthy life.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and forty-first.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2016-22291
Filed 9-13-16; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F6-P