Chemung County Executive Tom Santulli joins counties and states across the nation recognizing September 8th-14th 2014 as National Suicide Prevention Week. This year’s theme is “Suicide Prevention: One World Connected”. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in this country, with a life lost every 13 minutes. It is the second leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds. Suicide touches everyone, but there is help and hope when individuals, communities and professionals join forces to prevent suicide. An estimated 4.8 million Americans are survivors of suicide of a friend, family member or loved one.
Chemung County Legislator Rodney J. Strange understands all to well the effect of suicide on families. His older brother took his own life in September 2011. “Suicide is a devastating thing to go through and recognizing the need for better understanding and ways to prevent it from occurring is essential,” Strange said.
Strange is committed to “Breaking the Silence” on suicide and seeking prevention and awareness to the affects suicide has on those effected and those that are left behind.