[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 14, 2021)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 50983-50984]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19923]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 175 / Tuesday, September 14, 2021 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 50983]]


                Proclamation 10252 of September 9, 2021

                
World Suicide Prevention Day, 2021

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Today, the United States joins the World Health 
                Organization, the International Association for Suicide 
                Prevention, and nations around the world in 
                commemorating World Suicide Prevention Day by 
                ``creating hope through action.'' On this day, and 
                every day, we remember those lives lost to suicide. We 
                also commit to connecting with those who are struggling 
                and to encouraging communities, organizations, and 
                governments to work together to prevent suicide.

                Suicide often occurs in a moment of unbearable pain or 
                deep despair. Many individuals with mental health needs 
                are overcome with a sense of overwhelming hopelessness, 
                and feel they have nowhere to turn.

                Already, millions of Americans consider suicide, make a 
                suicide plan, or attempt suicide every year--especially 
                young Americans for whom suicide is the second leading 
                cause of death. This number is even higher among LGBTQ+ 
                and Native American youth.

                In 2019, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in 
                the United States, and the second leading cause of 
                death for young people between the ages of 10 and 34. 
                And that was before the COVID-19 pandemic compounded, 
                for many, feelings of isolation, exhaustion, and 
                economic and public health-related anxieties. Increased 
                rates of depression have sparked concern that we will 
                see a further increase in suicide rates.

                Too many of our Nation's veterans and active military 
                service members have also considered suicide or taken 
                their own lives. In many cases, they did not receive 
                the mental health services they need and deserve. In 
                order to fulfill our Nation's one sacred obligation to 
                care for our troops and their families, I have made 
                veteran suicide prevention a top priority. Earlier this 
                year, I was proud to sign the Sgt. Ketchum Rural 
                Veterans Mental Health Act of 2021 into law to provide 
                additional mental health care for rural veterans. In my 
                budget, I also requested $598 million to support the 
                Department of Veterans Affairs suicide prevention 
                outreach efforts.

                I have proposed $180 million to fund suicide prevention 
                programs at the Department of Health and Human 
                Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
                Administration. This dedicated funding will support 
                programming that focuses on suicide prevention at every 
                age and stage of a person's life, as well as prevention 
                and intervention programs through health systems. 
                Knowing that our Nation's youth have been especially 
                vulnerable to the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 
                pandemic, the American Rescue Plan I signed into law 
                also includes $20 million in funding specifically for 
                youth suicide prevention.

                My Administration is committed to treating suicide as 
                the public health problem it is and helping to address 
                the underlying risk factors for suicide. For example, 
                we are working to expand access to mental health and 
                substance use treatment. We are ensuring health 
                insurance plans act in accordance with the Paul 
                Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and 
                Addiction Equity Act of 2008, and cover these critical 
                services at the same level as physical health services.

[[Page 50984]]

                While there is no one cause of suicide, we know there 
                are many factors that increase a person's risk for 
                suicide, including the loss of a job; serious illness; 
                and financial, criminal, legal, and relationship 
                problems.

                Through the American Rescue Plan and my proposed Fiscal 
                Year 2022 budget, we are working to mitigate these risk 
                factors. The American Rescue Plan provided a third 
                round of economic impact payments, established a 
                homeowner assistance fund, and provided emergency 
                rental assistance.

                My Administration is also committed to addressing 
                suicide by firearm. Firearms are responsible for over 
                half of all suicide deaths in the United States. That 
                is one of the reasons we have published model red flag 
                laws for States--allowing family members and law 
                enforcement to petition for a temporary firearms ban 
                for individuals who present a danger to themselves or 
                others. When people present a danger to themselves or 
                others, we must reduce their access to lethal means and 
                ensure they have access to mental health services and 
                supports.

                If you or a loved one are thinking about suicide, 
                please know that you are not alone and help is 
                available 24/7 by calling the National Suicide 
                Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or through the 
                Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741. Next July, 
                the new Mental Health Crisis Line 9-8-8 will take 
                effect. By expanding the crisis line and investing in 
                our Nation's crisis care infrastructure, we have the 
                opportunity to prevent suicides and save lives.

                Today, on World Suicide Prevention Day, we remember 
                those whom we lost to suicide, and we reconfirm our 
                support for the millions of Americans who struggle with 
                thoughts of suicide, who are suicide attempt survivors, 
                suicide loss survivors, and those who are working 
                steadfastly to prevent suicide.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., 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, 
                2021, as World Suicide Prevention Day. I call upon all 
                Americans, communities, organizations, and all levels 
                of government to join me in creating hope through 
                action and committing to preventing suicide across 
                America.

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

[FR Doc. 2021-19923
Filed 9-13-21; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F1-P