Aurora recognizes National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: 'We need to take care of our mental health'

Sep. 7—September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and so it is in the city of Aurora, too.

Mayor Richard Irvin this week issued a proclamation saying so, pointing out that each year, more than 750,000 people around the world die from suicide.

In making the proclamation at this week's City Council Committee of the Whole meeting, Irvin recognized an Aurora organization, Simply Destinee, which makes suicide prevention services available to youths and "can be a lifeline" to troubled people.

"We need to take care of our mental health, while we take care of each other," Irvin said.

Simply Destinee was founded by Martin Luna-Espinoza in the wake of the suicide of his teenage niece, whose name was Destinee. Known as a dance troupe and studio, it serves just as much as a safe haven for youths struggling with all kinds of issues, including depression and bullying.

Clayton Muhammad, the city's chief communications and equity officer, pointed out that Simply Destinee has created "a new level of awareness" to issues around suicide in the city.

While Sunday is Suicide Awareness Day, Simply Destinee is recognizing it at 6:30 p.m. Monday with a candlelight vigil in Millennium Park, along the Fox River and Stolp Avenue downtown.

slord@tribpub.com

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