Monthly Spotlights
September 15- October 15 
National Hispanic Heritage Month is annually celebrated from September 15 to October 15 in the United States for recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the nation’s history, culture and achievements. The observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988.
Since then, the month has been celebrated nationwide through festivals, art shows, conferences, community gatherings and much more. The month also celebrates the independence days of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua on September 15, Mexico on September 16, and Chile on September 18. They also include holidays that recognize Hispanic contributions such as Virgin Islands-Puerto Rico Friendship Day that is celebrated in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
September 15 was chosen as the starting point for the commemoration because it is the anniversary of the Cry of Dolores, which marked the start of the Mexican War of Independence, resulting in independence for the New Spain Colony, now Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras and Nicaragua.
National Hispanic Heritage Month is also a time for the US Military to honor both fallen and active-duty Hispanic Americans who served in the armed forces. Sixty-one people of Hispanic heritage have been awarded the Medal of Honor, two were presented to members of the US Navy, 13 to members of the US Marine Corps, and 46 to members of the US Army.
For more information, visit https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov.
September 2023
Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. In fact, suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness on this stigmatized, and often taboo, topic. In addition to shifting public perception, the month spreads hope and vital information to people affected by suicide. The goal is to ensure that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help.
World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is an awareness day observed on September 10 every year in order to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides, with various activities around the world since 2003.More than 800,000 people per year worldwide die by suicide or about one person in 10,000 (1.4% of all deaths), or "a death every 40 seconds or about 3,000 every day." On average, three male suicides are reported for every female one, consistently across different age groups and in almost every country in the world.
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