Wednesday, SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 |
Photo – Calendar – Bigfoot99 file photo
County commissioners declare September as Suicide Prevention Month.
Wyoming ranks third in the nation for suicide deaths, behind only Montana and Alaska. In recognition of this fact, the Board of Carbon County Commissioners issued a proclamation during their September 16th meeting declaring this as Suicide Prevention Month.
Reading from the proclamation, Commission Chairman Travis Moore said self-inflicted deaths make up a significant portion of the nation’s overall mortality rates.
Continuing to read from the proclamation, Chairman Moore said high school students are especially vulnerable to suicide, with 25% reporting attempts at self-harm. Additionally, of the 157 suicide deaths in Wyoming in 2023, 141 involved individuals who were experiencing a mental health crisis.
According to the Wyoming Department of Health, 168 residents died by suicide in 2024, with 88% of those deaths being men.
Reading from the Suicide Prevention Month proclamation, Commission Chairman Moore said several groups have been created to help people during a mental health crisis. If the person can make it through that moment, they’re much less likely to end their life in the future.
Chairman Moore said the stigma around suicide can prevent people from seeking help during a mental health crisis and can also stop families from pursuing counseling afterward.
For those reasons, the Board of Carbon County Commissioners declared September 1st through the 30th as Suicide Prevention Month. Commissioner Sue Jones said Rachel Swanson and the Carbon County Prevention Network have made meaningful progress in reducing suicide risk through its Sources of Strength program.
Last summer, Carbon County Public Health Community Prevention Specialist Rachel Swanson introduced Sources of Strength to our area, an evidence-based suicide prevention program that promotes positive mental health strategies.
Since then, Swanson has worked to establish Sources of Strength support networks in Carbon County. Speaking to Bigfoot99 in May, Swanson explained that while Sources of Strength is a suicide prevention program, its primary focus is on eight key factors that build support and resilience, rather than focusing entirely on the act of suicide itself.
Sources of Strength officially kicked off in August, with 250 people gathering in Encampment to learn more about the program. At the time, ten adults pledged to become Sources of Strength advisors.
For more information about Sources of Strength, or to volunteer as an advisor, call Rachel Swanson at 328-2607.
