Mayor Proclaims Suicide Prevention Week; Local Events to Follow at PCC and Rose Bowl

Mayor Victor M. Gordo on Sunday issued a proclamation declaring Sept. 7–13 as National Suicide Prevention Week in Pasadena, citing suicide as the nation’s 11th leading cause of death and the second among people 10 to 34.

In his proclamation, Gordo wrote, “Whereas, the stigma associated with mental illness and suicidality works against suicide prevention by discouraging persons at risk for suicide from seeking life-saving help and further traumatizes survivors of suicide…”

The city and regional partners have scheduled several related public activities this month. A two-day Suicide Prevention Summit will take place at Pasadena City College, 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., featuring a professional “Collaborative Care Day” on Friday, Sept. 12, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and a free, all-ages “Community Day” on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with workshops, a survivors’ panel and creative-well-being performances. Organizers list free on-campus parking and online registration.

Separately, the Pasadena Police Department plans its annual Walk for Life on Thursday, Sept. 18, beginning at 5 p.m. at Rose Bowl Stadium Lot H, with the walk scheduled to start at 5:45 p.m. The free event, organized by the department’s H.O.P.E. Team and Wellness Unit with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, includes a resource fair of more than 25 vendors and a 5K loop around the Rose Bowl.

Next month another large community gathering — the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Greater Los Angeles Pasadena “Out of the Darkness” Walk — is set for Saturday, Nov. 8 at Central Park in Pasadena. Check-in is listed for 9 a.m., with the event start at 10 a.m.

Mayor Gordo is expected to announce the National Suicide Prevention Week proclamation during the City Council meeting tonight, Sept. 8.