WILMINGTON, OHIO — Mayor Pat Haley presented proclamations at the Wilmington City Council meeting on Sept. 5, honoring Constitution Week and recognizing Suicide Prevention Month.

Linda Barkey, with the George Clinton Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), received a proclamation in recognition of Constitution Week.

Constitution Week is observed annually from Sept. 17-23 to honor the history and significance of the United States Constitution and to “encourage the study of the historical events which led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787,” according to the DAR website. In 1955, DAR petitioned Congress to designate these dates yearly as Constitution Week. Congress approved the resolution, and President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into law Aug. 2, 1956.

Haley’s proclamation states that the Constitution “stands as a testament to the tenacity of American opinion and wisdom reflecting the conviction that a free people can govern themselves.”

Haley also described the Constitution as “the guardian of our liberties,” which is “the basis for America’s great heritage and foundation of our way of life.”

Barkey accepted the proclamation and said, “The George Clinton Chapter of DAR recognizes Constitution Week every year. It’s a special occasion for all of us as citizens of the United States.”

Katie Harper, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Southwest Ohio, received a proclamation in recognition of September as Suicide Prevention Month.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 49,000 people in the United States died from suicide in 2022. That equals one death every 11 minutes. Approximately 13.2 million people have seriously thought about suicide; 3.8 million have made a plan for suicide; and 1.6 million have attempted suicide.

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs tracks veteran suicide rates annually, using national death certificate data, with the most recent statistics available from 2021. Its latest annual report reveals that 6,392 veterans died by suicide in 2021. That equals 17 veteran suicides per day.

The CDC reports that 46% of those who die by suicide have a mental health condition.

The proclamation by Haley highlights the importance of community involvement in addressing mental illness, emphasizing that “every citizen and community can make a difference, helping to end the silence and stigma that for far too long has surrounded mental illness and discouraged people from getting help.”

Haley noted that the proclamation aims to “provide support, educate the public, and place our full support behind those who work in the mental health field, namely our local partner, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Southwest Ohio.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available. Call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Online chat is available at chat.988lifeline.org.