HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - PROCLAMATION - 10/03/2000 - PROCLAMATION PROCLAIMING OCTOBER 5, 2000 AS NATION Mayor
Citv of Fort Collins PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, National Depression Screening Day is a nationwide program designed to provide information about
the signs, symptoms and treatment of depression and to give individuals the opportunity to find out if they may be suffering
from depression by taking a written screening test and discussing the results with a mental health professional; and
WHEREAS, depression is more than a case of the blues -- clinical depression is a psychological disorder involving
both mind and body that strikes 17 to 20 million American each year, and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that clinical depression will be the second leading cause of disability in the world by
theyear 2020,second only to heart disease, however; less than one-third of the people sufferingfrom depression seek treatment,
and
WHEREAS,suicide is the eighth leading cause ofdeath in the nation, Colorado's suicide rate is IOth in the nation,
and 32 individuals in Larimer County committed suicide in 1999, which means that one Larimer County resident died every
11 days from suicide; and
WHEREAS, since the inception of National Depression Screening Day, nearly 600,000 people have attended
screening and 200,000 people have received professional help as a direct result of attending a screening, and
WHEREAS,depression does not discriminate--it can affect men and women,young and old, every nationaliy and
heritage -- depression is not a normal part of aging, however, more than 2 million of the 34 million Americans age 65 and
older suffer from some form of depression and teen suicide rates have increased more than 300 percent since the 1950's
resulting in nearly 5,000 deaths annually among 15-24 year olds, and
WHEREAS, public education and awareness is important in removing the debilitating stigma that accompanies
the personal battle against mental illness.
NOW, THEREFORE,I,Ray Martinez,Mayor of the City of Fort Collins, do hereby proclaim October 5,2000
as
NATIONAL DEPRESSION SCREENING DAY
in the city of Fort Collins and encourage the citizens to join with the National Depression Screening Day organizers and pay
closer attention to depression.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the City of Fort Collins this 3rd
day of October, A.D. 2000.
Mayor
ATTEST.
•City Clerk
300 LaPorte Avenue • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (970) 221-6505 • FAX (970) 224-6107