Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 175 / Tuesday, September 14, 2021 / Presidential Documents 50983 

Proclamation 10252 of September 9, 2021 

World Suicide Prevention Day, 2021 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

Today, the United States joins the World Health Organization, the International Association for Suicide Prevention, and nations around the world 

in commemorating World Suicide Prevention Day by ‘‘creating hope through 

action.’’ On this day, and every day, we remember those lives lost to suicide. 

We also commit to connecting with those who are struggling and to encouraging communities, organizations, and governments to work together to prevent suicide. 

Suicide often occurs in a moment of unbearable pain or deep despair. 

Many individuals with mental health needs are overcome with a sense 

of overwhelming hopelessness, and feel they have nowhere to turn. 

Already, millions of Americans consider suicide, make a suicide plan, or 

attempt suicide every year—especially young Americans for whom suicide 

is the second leading cause of death. This number is even higher among 

LGBTQ+ and Native American youth. 

In 2019, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, 

and the second leading cause of death for young people between the ages 

of 10 and 34. And that was before the COVID–19 pandemic compounded, 

for many, feelings of isolation, exhaustion, and economic and public healthrelated anxieties. Increased rates of depression have sparked concern that 

we will see a further increase in suicide rates. 

Too many of our Nation’s veterans and active military service members 

have also considered suicide or taken their own lives. In many cases, they 

did not receive the mental health services they need and deserve. In order 

to fulfill our Nation’s one sacred obligation to care for our troops and 

their families, I have made veteran suicide prevention a top priority. Earlier 

this year, I was proud to sign the Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental 

Health Act of 2021 into law to provide additional mental health care for 

rural veterans. In my budget, I also requested $598 million to support 

the Department of Veterans Affairs suicide prevention outreach efforts. 

I have proposed $180 million to fund suicide prevention programs at the 

Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental 

Health Services Administration. This dedicated funding will support programming that focuses on suicide prevention at every age and stage of 

a person’s life, as well as prevention and intervention programs through 

health systems. Knowing that our Nation’s youth have been especially vulnerable to the mental health impacts of the COVID–19 pandemic, the American 

Rescue Plan I signed into law also includes $20 million in funding specifically for youth suicide prevention. 

My Administration is committed to treating suicide as the public health 

problem it is and helping to address the underlying risk factors for suicide. 

For example, we are working to expand access to mental health and substance 

use treatment. We are ensuring health insurance plans act in accordance 

with the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, and cover these critical services at the same level 

as physical health services. 


tkelley on DSK125TN23PROD with D1
50984 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 175 / Tuesday, September 14, 2021 / Presidential Documents 

While there is no one cause of suicide, we know there are many factors 

that increase a person’s risk for suicide, including the loss of a job; serious 

illness; and financial, criminal, legal, and relationship problems. 

Through the American Rescue Plan and my proposed Fiscal Year 2022 

budget, we are working to mitigate these risk factors. The American Rescue 

Plan provided a third round of economic impact payments, established 

a homeowner assistance fund, and provided emergency rental assistance. 

My Administration is also committed to addressing suicide by firearm. Firearms are responsible for over half of all suicide deaths in the United States. 

That is one of the reasons we have published model red flag laws for 

States—allowing family members and law enforcement to petition for a 

temporary firearms ban for individuals who present a danger to themselves 

or others. When people present a danger to themselves or others, we must 

reduce their access to lethal means and ensure they have access to mental 

health services and supports. 

If you or a loved one are thinking about suicide, please know that you 

are not alone and help is available 24/7 by calling the National Suicide 

Prevention Lifeline at 1–800–273–TALK or through the Crisis Text Line 

by texting HOME to 741741. Next July, the new Mental Health Crisis Line 

9–8–8 will take effect. By expanding the crisis line and investing in our 

Nation’s crisis care infrastructure, we have the opportunity to prevent suicides and save lives. 

Today, on World Suicide Prevention Day, we remember those whom we 

lost to suicide, and we reconfirm our support for the millions of Americans 

who struggle with thoughts of suicide, who are suicide attempt survivors, 

suicide loss survivors, and those who are working steadfastly to prevent 

suicide. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States 

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 

and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 10, 2021, 

as World Suicide Prevention Day. I call upon all Americans, communities, 

organizations, and all levels of government to join me in creating hope 

through action and committing to preventing suicide across America. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of 

September, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the 

Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fortysixth. 

[FR Doc. 2021–19923 

Filed 9–13–21; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3295–F1–P 


tkelley on DSK125TN23PROD with D1BIDEN.EPS</GPH>