Village of Huntley proclaims September 2021 as National Suicide Prevention Awareness month

HUNTLEY – At the Aug. 26 Village of Huntley Board meeting, Tim Hoeft, Huntley’s village president, announced that the village is committed to showing its full support in raising awareness on a topic that is stigmatized and is even often considered taboo to talk about.

According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), “Suicide is the [second] leading cause of death among people aged 10-34 and the [tenth] leading cause of death overall in the U.S.”

With such alarming statistics, Huntley officials recognized the importance of starting a conversation on mental health struggles.

“Huntley, Illinois is no different than any other community but [we] chose to publicly state and place our full support behind local educators, mental health professionals, athletic coaches, pack leaders, and parents as partners in supporting our community and simply being available to one another,” Hoeft said.

He continued, “Whereas local and national organizations like Suicide Prevention Services are on the front lines of a battle that many still refuse to discuss in public and whereas the Village of Huntley is appreciative of all the resources like the National Suicide Prevention and Action Month Proclamation Project and other mental health resources available, and encourage everyone to talk about suicide and accept that it’s okay to not be okay.”

NAMI states that communities everywhere can benefit from honest conversations about mental health conditions and suicide, “because just one conversation can change a life.”

This was a topic of conversation that McHenry residents Bill and Patti Hartmann wished they could have had with their son who tragically lost his life to suicide in 2008. 

Since that incident, the couple now works hard to do everything they can to bring awareness to suicide prevention.

“[We also want] to help end the stigma of mental health so that people aren’t afraid to go get help. One of the hardest things was, after losing him, was the void and the vacancy in the house. When you set the table, I couldn’t even do it for a while because it was one less plate. Every time you did something, it was one less,” Patti said.

“The youth of our community should understand the thought that throughout life struggles, we all need occasional reminders that we are all fighting our own battles,” said Hoeft. “I encourage all residents to take time to inquire as [to] the well-being of their family, friends, and neighbors over the next few days to genuinely convey their appreciation for their existence by any gesture that’d be appropriate.” 

Bill explained that he likes to help others that have gone through the same loss because he understands the hurt that comes with it.

“It may take a while, but you can get through it and if you do need help, seek the help that you can get,” Bill said.

Since September is known as National Suicide Prevention Month it only seemed fitting that the Village of Huntley proclaims it as a month to bring attention to the topic of suicide.

“It teaches us how to help others and how to talk about suicide without increasing the risk of harm,” said Hoeft. “Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone and everyone regardless of age, gender or background.”

If you or someone you know are experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Hotline at 800-273-8255. If you’re uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can also text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.

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