Governor Doug Ducey last week issued a proclamation declaring September National Teen Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. The proclamation presents sobering statistics: Arizona ranks 18th in the nation for suicides among children and adolescents; suicide was the second leading cause of death for Arizona teens ages 15 to 18; and more than 10,000 teens attempted suicide in 2013, with 42 teens succumbing to suicide that year.

In an official statement, the governor’s office reported that Ducey, along with several non-profit organizations across the state, is teaming up to raise awareness about Arizona’s high prevalence of teen suicide, and to spread the word about the support services available for those affected by or struggling with the issue.

Community Counseling Centers is leading the charge for awareness and prevention locally. The agency presents similarly sobering statistics: 1.1 million American adults attempted suicide in 2014; approximately 36,000 Americans die by suicide each year; and 30 percent of successful suicide attempts involved alcohol intoxication.

To help citizens learn the warning signs of suicide, CCC will host a community awareness event free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, in downtown Holbrook.

The event will kick off with an Awareness Walk in the Park, which will start at 8:30 a.m. at the lawn of the old courthouse. Additional activities beginning at 10 a.m at the courthouse will include Zumba, cultural dancing and informational booths.

Vanessa Serna, manager of CCC’s Holbrook outpatient and administration services, says tomorrow’s event is the organization’s first to be held on the grounds of historic Navajo County Courthouse.

From a community support and attendance standpoint, Serna relates that the agency’s previous awareness events “didn’t have much success. This year, everybody at the clinic has come together and we’re trying to make it a big deal, because suicide is a big deal.

“Our main goal is educating younger teens and adolescents, because the suicide rate for (these groups) is very high,” she explained.

For event questions or more information, contact Serna at 524-6126.