Press Release: Gov. Evers Delivers Radio Address Highlighting Suicide Prevention Month

State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 09/12/2024 10:32 AM CDT
Office of Governor Tony Evers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 12, 2024
Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov 
 
Gov. Evers Delivers Radio Address Highlighting Suicide Prevention Month
 
Audio File of Radio Address.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered his weekly radio address highlighting September as Suicide Prevention Month in Wisconsin. Gov. Evers proclaimed September as Suicide Prevention Month and September 8 through September 14, 2024, as Suicide Prevention Week. A copy of the governor’s proclamation is available here.

Last year, in recognition of the troubling statistics seen over the past few years regarding mental health and the growing demand for mental and behavioral health services providers have seen across the state, Gov. Evers declared 2023 the Year of Mental Health, calling mental and behavioral health a “burgeoning crisis” affecting the state and Wisconsin’s kids, families, and workforce. Additional information on efforts of the Evers Administration to address mental health in Wisconsin is available here.

Hey there, folks. Governor Tony Evers here.

I declared 2023 the Year of Mental Health in Wisconsin and set out with a mission to address the state of mental health with the urgency it required.

I said then that mental health in Wisconsin was a quiet, burgeoning crisis that would have consequences for generations if we didn’t address it, and that we couldn’t look back years in the future and wish we could’ve done more and sooner.

Folks, my concerns have not wavered. This is a crisis in our state and our country.

And while I was proud of the advancements we made in the Year of Mental Health, including significant investments in school-based mental health for kids, in services for farmer mental health, in establishing crisis care centers, and supporting operations of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, we can and should do more.

As we recognize Suicide Prevention Month, I remain as committed as ever to the work we must do to expand access to services, end the stigma, raise awareness, and prevent suicides across our state.

Suicide is a top 10 leading cause of death in Wisconsin—evidenced by the fact that I know all of us have experienced the unimaginable loss of a loved one or a neighbor to suicide.

So, reach out. Connect with your loved ones, and if you’re struggling, please know that you are never alone. Talk to people you trust, whether that’s your healthcare provider or a friend.  
 
If you are in crisis, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is confidential and available 24/7 by call, text, or chat. Call or text 988 to get connected with a counselor to talk.

Farmers and their families can also call DATCP’s 24/7 Farmer Wellness Helpline at 1-888-901-2558.

Help is always available, and it’s okay to be struggling.

Together, we can prevent suicides, save lives, and build a healthier, more resilient state for everybody.

Thank you.
 
An online version of this release is available here.
###