‘A community responsibility’: Riverton recognizes September as Suicide Prevention Month

(Riverton, WY) – The City of Riverton proclaimed September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Month this week, encouraging residents to check in on one another, learn about available resources, and help reduce the stigma surrounding conversations about suicide and mental health.

“Suicide prevention is a community responsibility,” Mayor Tim Hancock read from the proclamation during a Riverton City Council meeting Tuesday. “Each of us has the ability to make a difference by reaching out, listening without judgment, offering support, and connecting those who are struggling with appropriate resources.”

The proclamation recognizes suicide as “a serious public health concern” affecting individuals, families, friends, schools, workplaces, and communities throughout Wyoming and the nation.

It also emphasizes that “no individual should feel they face a crisis alone,” noting that “knowing the warning signs, asking someone how they’re doing, listening with compassion, and helping connect them to support can save lives.”

“Every person in Riverton matters and deserves to know that help is available, that they are valued, and that there is hope even during the most difficult circumstances,” the proclamation states.

Prevention

Representatives from the local Fremont County Prevention Program attended this week’s council meeting to witness the proclamation and discuss suicide prevention efforts planned for the coming months.

Prevention Specialist Tauna Groomsmith said several suicide awareness and prevention trainings are being scheduled for the fall, including a two-hour Question, Persuade, Refer training; a four-hour Talk Saves Lives training; eight-hour youth and adult Mental Health First Aid trainings; and a two-day Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training. 

She said updates about the upcoming trainings and other events will be posted on the Fremont County Prevention website. 

Groomsmith also introduced Carol Harper as the newest member of the local Suicide Prevention Task Force.

Harper, who identified herself as a survivor of a suicide and domestic violence, said her work with emergency medical services locally has shown her how frequently first responders encounter people experiencing suicidal thoughts or crises.

Suicide remains a difficult and stigmatized subject to discuss, Harper acknowledged – but “it does need to be talked about.”

“Most of all, it needs to be understood,” Harper said. “The two biggest factors needed (for) survivors of suicide and domestic violence are hope and healing. Do we possess those two things as a community? … Can we be mindful and aware enough to be able to have those tough conversations? I think we need to, and I hope that we can.”

Hancock agreed that open conversations can play an important role in prevention, recalling his own experience with a friend who regularly called him while contemplating suicide.

“It’s a little intense to deal with that,” Hancock said. “But I do think one of the most important things is just being able to talk to your friends. … It’s a little bit weird that we have something that takes so many people from us that we just aren’t willing to talk about and we pretend like it doesn’t exist.”

Similarly, Councilmember Kyle Larson said mental health issues need to be discussed more openly rather than hidden, adding that more resources are needed to address mental illness.

The city’s proclamation recognizes and remembers those who have lost their lives to suicide.

It also expresses support for survivors of suicide attempts and encourages compassion for “the families, friends, and loved ones whose lives have been forever impacted by suicide.”

During September, the proclamation says the City of Riverton “encourages all residents to learn about suicide prevention, check in on friends, family members, co-workers, and neighbors, foster connections, reduce stigma, and share resources that can help individuals and families find support.”

Anyone experiencing a mental health or suicide-related crisis can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.