London mayor reaches out to community during National Suicide Prevention Month

LONDON, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) — September is National Suicide Prevention Month, which London Mayor Randall Weddle said was an important month not just for the city he serves, but all Kentuckians.

The City of London posted on Facebook Sunday to highlight resources for those in London suffering from depression and mental illness. The post featured a video message from Weddell, who talked about the services that Kentucky and London law enforcement offer to those who may be struggling.

“We don’t want anybody in our community to feel alone,” Weddle said in the message, “And I want you to know from my office, you are never alone. I believe that our faith teaches us that God is with us, and when we feel that he isn’t, we need to reach out to somebody.”

Mayor Weddle mentioned that those in need of assistance are encouraged to contact the Laurel County 911 dispatch at ((606) 878-7000 to reach either the mayor himself, or local law enforcement willing to help with any issue a caller may have.

The Facebook post on Sunday also said that Kentuckians in need of an ear to listen can call the state’s Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 9-8-8 . Doing so will connect you to will connect you with suicide prevention, mental health, and substance use counselors across the Commonwealth’s 13 call centers, according to the service website .

“We need to be available,” Mayor Weddle said, “My office is available, my team is available, and as always, you will have the national suicide prevention hotline that will also be linked to this.”

Mayor Weddle concluded his message to the people of London by saying, “Be active in the community, be an ear to somebody, or if you see someone down, maybe say a kind word. Help us raise the awareness this month, and if you are feeling suicidal, talk to somebody, because no matter how alone you feel, you are not.”

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