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September 18, 2023 - Harrisburg, PA

Shapiro Administration Recognizes Suicide Prevention Awareness

Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh, along with leaders from multiple state agencies and suicide prevention advocacy groups, joined together to recognize September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Although mental health and suicide prevention are important to
address year-round, this month provides a dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices and share that there is hope, help is available, and healing is possible.


"We are here today to remember the lives lost to suicide, acknowledge the millions of people who have struggled with suicidal ideation, and support the individuals, families, and communities that have been impacted," said Secretary Arkoosh. "Together, we can prevent suicide. By starting the conversation, providing resources, and directing help to those who need it, we can save lives. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. You are not alone."

List of speakers:
DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh
Department of Health Acting Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen
Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania's adjutant general and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich
Insurance Commissioner Mike Humphreys
DMVA member, James Stafford
Prevent Suicide PA member, Hannah Metzger



DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh speaks at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-1.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh and Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania's adjutant general and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs listen at Pennsylvana's Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-10.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Department of Health Acting Secretary, Dr. Debra Bogen, speaks at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-11.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Department of Health Acting Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen speaks at Pennsylvana's Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-12.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania's adjutant general and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs speaks at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-13.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Department of Military and Veterans Affairs member, James Stafford, speaks at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-14.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Department of Military and Veterans Affairs member James Stafford speaks at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-16.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA...The Shapiro Administration is committed to preventing death by suicide by investing in mental health supports for Pennsylvanians. The 2023-2024 bipartisan budget that Governor Shapiro signed includes $20 million to increase base funding for counties to provide critical mental health services and address deepening workforce shortages.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-17.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA...The Shapiro Administration is committed to preventing death by suicide by investing in mental health supports for Pennsylvanians. The 2023-2024 bipartisan budget that Governor Shapiro signed includes $20 million to increase base funding for counties to provide critical mental health services and address deepening workforce shortages.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-18.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of Aging, Jason Kavulich, at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-19.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Department of Military and Veterans Affairs member, James Stafford, at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-2.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of Aging, Jason Kavulich, speaks at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-20.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of Aging, Jason Kavulich, speaks at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-21.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of Aging, Jason Kavulich, speaks at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-22.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA...The Shapiro Administration is committed to preventing death by suicide by investing in mental health supports for Pennsylvanians. The 2023-2024 bipartisan budget that Governor Shapiro signed includes $20 million to increase base funding for counties to provide critical mental health services and address deepening workforce shortages.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-23.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA...The Shapiro Administration is committed to preventing death by suicide by investing in mental health supports for Pennsylvanians. The 2023-2024 bipartisan budget that Governor Shapiro signed includes $20 million to increase base funding for counties to provide critical mental health services and address deepening workforce shortages.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-24.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Insurance Commissioner Mike Humphreys speaks at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-25.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Hannah Metzger, member of Prevent Suicide PA, speaks at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-26.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Hannah Metzger, member of Prevent Suicide PA, speaks at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-27.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Hannah Metzger, member of Prevent Suicide PA, speaks at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-28.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh speaks at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-3.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA...The Shapiro Administration is committed to preventing death by suicide by investing in mental health supports for Pennsylvanians. The 2023-2024 bipartisan budget that Governor Shapiro signed includes $20 million to increase base funding for counties to provide critical mental health services and address deepening workforce shortages.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-31.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA...The Shapiro Administration is committed to preventing death by suicide by investing in mental health supports for Pennsylvanians. The 2023-2024 bipartisan budget that Governor Shapiro signed includes $20 million to increase base funding for counties to provide critical mental health services and address deepening workforce shortages.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-32.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA...The Shapiro Administration is committed to preventing death by suicide by investing in mental health supports for Pennsylvanians. The 2023-2024 bipartisan budget that Governor Shapiro signed includes $20 million to increase base funding for counties to provide critical mental health services and address deepening workforce shortages.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-33.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA...The Shapiro Administration is committed to preventing death by suicide by investing in mental health supports for Pennsylvanians. The 2023-2024 bipartisan budget that Governor Shapiro signed includes $20 million to increase base funding for counties to provide critical mental health services and address deepening workforce shortages.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-34.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA...The Shapiro Administration is committed to preventing death by suicide by investing in mental health supports for Pennsylvanians. The 2023-2024 bipartisan budget that Governor Shapiro signed includes $20 million to increase base funding for counties to provide critical mental health services and address deepening workforce shortages.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-35.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA...The Shapiro Administration is committed to preventing death by suicide by investing in mental health supports for Pennsylvanians. The 2023-2024 bipartisan budget that Governor Shapiro signed includes $20 million to increase base funding for counties to provide critical mental health services and address deepening workforce shortages.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-36.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania's adjutant general and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and member, James Stafford, at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-37.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh speaks at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-38.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh speaks at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-40.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh speaks at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-41.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh speaks at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-42.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Department of Military and Veterans Affairs member, James Stafford, speaks at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-43.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of Aging, Jason Kavulich, speaks at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-44.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Hannah Metzger, member of Prevent Suicide PA, speaks at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-45.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of Aging, Jason Kavulich, at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-5.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh speaks at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-6.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh speaks at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-7.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Department of Health Acting Secretary, Dr. Debra Bogen, speaks at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-8.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Department of Health Acting Secretary, Dr. Debra Bogen, speaks at Pennsylvanias Suicide Prevention Month Press Conference at the State Capital in Harrisburg, PA.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23696_dhs_suicidePrevention-9.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a>