State of Nevada Shines Purple and Turquoise for Suicide Prevention Week

Office of Suicide Prevention Invites Nevada Businesses to Join

Carson City August 31, 2022

In recognition of September as Suicide Prevention Month, the Nevada Office of Suicide Prevention is asking Nevadans to help turn the skyline purple and turquoise from Sunday, September 4 through Saturday, September 10 to remember lives lost to suicide and remind all Nevadans that they are not alone.

Each year, more than 800,000 people worldwide die by suicide, including nearly 46,000 Americans. In Nevada, there were 603 deaths from suicide in 2020, and on average, one Nevadan dies by suicide every 14 hours. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-34 in the Silver State, and ninth leading cause for all Nevadans.

"National Suicide Prevention Awareness week and month is an opportunity to shine a bright light on an important public health concern that affects all Nevadans," said Misty Vaughan Allen, Nevada's Suicide Prevention Coordinator. "Please join us in coloring our state in purple and turquoise to let those grieving a loss to suicide, or those needing extra support, know they are not alone. We aim to light up our state with involvement, connection, and hope.”

In partnership with the Nevada Coalition for Suicide Prevention and Hope Means Nevada, Nevada will remember the lives lost to suicide and promote hope across the state, thanks to: Renown Health, Grand Sierra Resort, Circus Circus at the Row, Reno Aces, High Roller Observation Wheel at the LINQ Promenade, Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas, and partnerships with the cities of Las Vegas and Reno.

“I’m proud to help bring awareness to Suicide Prevention Month by turning many of our state buildings purple, including the Capitol building in Carson City,” said Governor Steve Sisolak. “There’s lots of hard work still ahead, but Nevada continues to take significant steps towards getting to our goal of zero suicides. One suicide is too many.”

This year marks the 19th annual World Suicide Prevention Day, to be recognized on September 10 with events state and nationwide.

“With teens experiencing heightened levels of stress, anxiety and depression, Hope Means Nevada is here to offer a safe community and resources when they are hurting," said Ciera Bellavance, Executive Director, Nevada Medical Center. "We are here to spread awareness of Nevada's mental health movement as well as critical mental health resources such as 988, the new three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline."

If you or someone you know is struggling, call/text/chat with a crisis counselor at 988 today. To learn more about the Office of Suicide Prevention, go to suicideprevention.nv.gov.

Contact

Kendall Holcomb
Public Information Officer, Division of Public and Behavioral Health