[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 177 (Wednesday, September 14, 2022)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 56239-56240]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-20003]


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                         Presidential Documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 87 , No. 177 / Wednesday, September 14, 2022 
/ Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 56239]]

                Proclamation 10442 of September 9, 2022

                
World Suicide Prevention Day, 2022

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On World Suicide Prevention Day, our Nation joins the 
                World Health Organization, the International 
                Association for Suicide Prevention, and countries 
                across the globe in mourning those who have died by 
                suicide. Suicide is a devastating tragedy that leaves 
                loved ones with unanswered questions and families 
                missing a piece of their soul, wishing for more time 
                together. We are still in the early stages of learning 
                about the conditions that can lead to suicide, 
                including job strain or loss; serious illnesses; and 
                financial, criminal, legal, and relationship problems. 
                Acknowledging suicide and the impact it has on our 
                communities is a first step to understanding how it can 
                be prevented more effectively.

                Suicide accounts for 1 of every 100 deaths globally, 
                and it is the second leading cause of death for 
                Americans between the ages of 10 and 34. In the United 
                States, American Indians, Alaska Native youth, LGBTQI+ 
                youth, and rural men are disproportionately affected. 
                Far too many service members, veterans, and law 
                enforcement officials have taken or considered taking 
                their own lives. And too frequently, these patriots and 
                public servants do not receive the help they need due 
                both to stigmas surrounding mental health challenges 
                and lack of access to necessary resources.

                During my State of the Union Address, I discussed 
                tackling the mental health crisis as a key component of 
                my Administration's Unity Agenda. My Administration 
                released a comprehensive Government strategy designed 
                to address mental health with the same substance and 
                specificity as our approach to physical health. It 
                connects more Americans to care and creates a full 
                spectrum of prevention and recovery support. My 
                Administration's budget proposes investing over $22.8 
                billion in Fiscal Year 2023 to bolster our mental 
                health and care workforce, to establish new 
                nontraditional health delivery sites, and to integrate 
                quality mental health and substance use care into 
                primary care settings. As we look ahead, we must 
                advance equity in mental health and transform how 
                mental health is understood, perceived, and treated. We 
                also remain committed to expanding mental health 
                research and services around the world.

                Over the last 2 years, we have invested heavily in 
                expanding the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 
                which we transitioned from a 10-digit number to the 3-
                digit dialing code, 9-8-8, this summer. This new, 
                easier-to-access tool connects people in crisis to 
                trained professionals, 24-hours per day, 365 days per 
                year.

                This summer, I signed into law the first meaningful gun 
                safety bill in nearly 30 years, which helps States 
                implement red-flag laws that make it harder for people 
                more likely to harm themselves and others to purchase 
                guns. It funds more crisis intervention services and 
                improves mental health access for children and 
                families. With funding from my American Rescue Plan, my 
                Administration strengthened our support for the Garrett 
                Lee Smith State and Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention and 
                Early Intervention Program, which awards money to 
                States and Tribes implementing critical strategies to 
                save lives.

[[Page 56240]]

                Last November, my Administration released a 
                comprehensive public health strategy for reducing 
                military and veteran suicide, which we are now working 
                to implement. In March, the Department of Defense 
                established the Suicide Prevention and Response 
                Independent Review Committee to prevent suicide in the 
                military and address suicide risk for service members 
                who have experienced sexual assault. I also signed an 
                Executive Order directing the Department of Health and 
                Human Services to expand mental health care access to 
                LGBTQI+ youth as a means of preventing suicide.

                From committed crisis counselors who serve on hotlines 
                and in schools to clinicians, behavioral health care 
                practitioners, faith leaders, teachers, friends, and 
                family members--we each have a role to play. Together, 
                we can reduce the stigmatization of mental health 
                issues, learn how to respond to suicide risk, and offer 
                individuals and populations most impacted the essential 
                care they need when a crisis arises. Together, we can 
                save lives.

                On this day of commemoration and action, we commit to 
                studying the risk factors associated with suicide and 
                to making mental health care accessible and affordable. 
                Finally, to those experiencing emotional distress: 
                please know that you are loved, and that you are not 
                alone. There is hope, and there is help, and I 
                encourage you to call or text 9-8-8 to reach the 
                National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

                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, 
                2022, 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-two, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                seventh.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2022-20003
Filed 9-13-22; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F2-P