Fayette County Declares September as Suicide Prevention Month

Fayette County Commissioners Court signed a proclamation designating September as Suicide Prevention Month in Fayette County.

The proclamation states that suicide is the 11th leading cause of death nationwide and the 2nd leading cause of death among people in Texas between the ages of 15 and 34.

“It’s really sad that in the State of Texas, the second leading cause of death is suicide,” said Pct. 3 Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff.

Speaking to Fayette County EMS Director Josh Vandever, Berckenhoff said, “Josh, you and your crew see it. You talk about alcohol, drugs, car crashes, but suicide is the second. It’s unbelievable.”

“It is hard to believe,” said County Judge Dan Mueller.

“Our county is affected by this,” Vandever said. “Almost everyone knows someone affected by suicide. But even in our tiny little county … we have a ton of resources here.”

Vandever said “it’s completely normal” for people to experience depression. But he urged everyone to reach out for help if they’re thinking about harming themselves.

“We have an investigator at the Sheriff’s Office, actually multiple people at the Sheriff’s Office committed to mental health,” he said. “When you call them, they’re not there to judge you. They’re not there to throw you in jail. They’re there to provide services.

“If people are struggling, they need to reach out to EMS or reach out to the Sheriff’s Office,” Vandever added. “Don’t just suffer in silence and take your own life.”