HAYDEN, ID — Mayor Alan Davis proclaimed September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Month in Hayden during the Sept. 8 City Council meeting, calling attention to suicide rates in Idaho and Kootenai County and encouraging residents to support people in crisis.
WATCH: Mayor Alan Davis delivers the Sept. 8 Suicide Prevention Month proclamation.
Davis said suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and the second leading cause among people ages 15 to 34. He also cited 2024 data showing Idaho had the sixth-highest suicide rate in the country and that 437 people died by suicide statewide that year.
The proclamation stated that Idaho’s suicide rate is 1.6 times the national average. In Kootenai County, 49 suicide deaths were recorded in 2025, the highest total among Idaho’s five northern counties. Through July 2026, 18 Kootenai County residents had died by suicide, according to the proclamation.
Davis also noted that up to 90% of people who die by suicide were experiencing symptoms of a diagnosable and treatable mental health condition that may have gone unrecognized or untreated.
The proclamation highlighted the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which is available by call or text 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It also recognized local and regional organizations involved in suicide prevention, crisis response, education and support, including NAMI Coeur d’Alene, the Suicide Prevention Action Network of North Idaho, North Idaho Crisis Center, Kootenai Behavioral Health, first responders and the Mobile Crisis Unit.
Davis proclaimed suicide prevention a priority for the city and encouraged residents to work together to raise awareness, reduce stigma and support those in crisis.
He closed the proclamation with a brief message to the community: “Take care of each other.”
The proclamation opened the Sept. 8 City Council meeting.