By The Star Staff
Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia signed a proclamation Tuesday designating September as Suicide Prevention Month on the island.
During his message, the governor stressed the importance of addressing the issue of suicide as a public health issue that requires the collaboration of government agencies, nonprofit organizations and the community at large.
Pierluisi emphasized that the government is taking concrete steps to prioritize mental health, such as allocating additional funds for suicide prevention programs and improving coverage of mental health medications and treatments in the Vital health plan. In fact, the governor allocated federal American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds to increase the Mental Health and Anti-Addiction Services Administration’s (ASSMCA) resources for its preventive programs, including public service campaigns on depression and about the services it offers.
Pierluisi also noted the “Governor’s Challenge” federal initiative, in which Puerto Rico participates in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Veterans Affairs to address the prevention of suicide in veterans, members of the military service and their families.
“My commitment to give a dignified quality of life to our people is clear and firm, and the steps we take every day to assist our people are proof that we are prioritizing mental health and suicide prevention on our island,” the governor said. “My call to all our people is to be attentive to the needs of our brothers and sisters in our family, our jobs and our communities, and to educate ourselves and become even more aware of the available help, because every life is valued, every human being in our lives is loved and we want them healthy.”
The proclamation seeks to raise awareness of the resources available for suicide prevention and encourage people to be attentive to the needs of their families, friends and communities. In commemoration of Suicide Prevention Month, La Fortaleza will be lit up in orange.