SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK
KICKOFF CEREMONY - 2011


Tuesday, September 6th - 9am in Williamson County
at the Historic Courthouse in Georgetown, Texas

On Tuesday morning, September 6th, 2011, Williamson County held a ceremony to kick off Suicide Prevention Week, which is observed nationally by states, cities, and/or counties that adopt it. Williamson County Commissioners and other governing officials adopted in a resolution later the same morning officially observing Suicide Prevention Week. Pick With Austin was present at the ceremony and we presented a speech, passed out assorted information about our organization, and gave out free Suicide Prevention Wrist Bands which were designed specifically in theme with our program, "Alan's Gift of Music." We paid special tribute to remember Alan Carter Villaruz-Curley. Pick With Austin wishes to recognize and thank Stacy Ramos, Diana Lewis, and Elyse Bigler for their assistance representing as part of our Team during the Williamson County ceremony. Teens Sydney and Shania VanWinkle got up and spoke during the ceremony and they read several testimonials that support the success of the Pick With Austin program. In addition, Pick With Austin wishes to express sincere thanks to Bluebonnet Trails and to officials with Williamson County for their support and their recognition of the importance of Suicide Prevention Week. We were proud to be included as a part of this grand ceremony and believe that this represented a giant step toward helping bring awareness of the dangers of depression and suicide as it affects not just our children and our youth, but individuals of all ages also, including anyone who is affected direct or indirectly.

Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States with one suicide occurring on average every 15.2 minutes. Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among 15- to 24-years-olds. The elderly make up 12.6% of the population, but comprise 15.7% of all suicides. Approximately 864,950 Americans attempt suicide each year. It is estimated that five million living Americans have attempted to kill themselves. Every year in the United States, more than 17,000 men and women kill themselves with a gun; two-thirds more than the number who use a gun to kill another person. An estimated 4.6 million Americans are survivors of the suicide of a friend, family member, or loved one. Experts believe that most suicidal individuals do not want to die. They just want to end the pain they are experiencing. Experts also know that suicidal crises tend to be brief. When suicidal behaviors are detected early, lives can be saved. There are services available in our community for the assessment and treatment of suicidal behaviors and their underlying causes.

Pick With Austin's sponsor for Suicide Prevention Week is Danny Ray's Music 12 Chisholm Trail, Round Rock, TX 78681