Suicide Prevention Summit & Federal Changes Coming - jhitchen
September 10, 2026
Good morning neighbors,
While I am hopeful that each person that reads this has not personally been touched by suicide, the reality is that between 2020 and 2024, 749 people died by suicide in Pierce County.
September is Suicide Prevention Month, and this year the county is taking an active role in education, prevention and healing; I hope you will join us. I also want to do a quick update on the changes coming due to H.R.1 for those in our community that might be accessing services through Medicaid (Apple Health). Changes are coming that you need to understand.
Bridge to Hope: Suicide Prevention Summit
Please join us on Friday, September 18th for the first ever Pierce County Suicide Summit. This is spearheaded by two of my colleagues, Councilmembers Robyn Denson (District 7) and Paul Herrera (District 2).
The event itself is broken into three parts to provide an opportunity for anyone in the county to engage with this topic at a level that makes sense and is meaningful to them. You can find event details and registration here: www.piercecountywa.gov/SuicidePrevention.
"It is completely free for all participants and there is something for every age."
The event runs from 12-7 p.m. with attendees meeting at PenMet Parks and Recreation Center located at 2524 14th Ave. NW in Gig Harbor.
What is Happening During the Summit
Since there is something for everyone, I thought I would break it down so you could check your calendar and get the most out of this opportunity.
A Professional Learning Program is from noon-4:30 p.m. This portion of the event is geared toward those who work in this space, or community members and professionals increasing their personal and professional skills around suicide prevention work. There will be time to lunch and network with other professionals, an organized “speed networking time” to meet providers and four interactive learning sessions. Continuing Education opportunities will be available, but work with your organization to determine whether this event will count. There will be four different sessions available to choose from, and you can create a learning day to help support your work or your personal curiosity. Options are Youth Mental Health, First Responder Training, Suicide Prevention Policy and Continuum of Care in Behavioral Health.
Community Connection and Suicide Prevention is from 4-6 p.m. This is an opportunity for anyone to learn how to respond and what to do if faced with someone in crisis. At 4 p.m. we will hear from our Keynote Speaker, Jessi Beyer, who is an award-winning mental health speaker, certified mental health professional, former SWAT crisis negotiator, and author of How to Heal. There will be time to hear from experts on combatting stigma, with a lens on our veteran population, how to talk to teens or adults, and the chance to participate in a guided art therapy experience. There will also be community resources and connections tabling.
5-K Walk/Run is from 6 p.m. to whenever you finish. Unfortunately, the Narrows Bridge is known as a suicide hot-spot, so this evening we will take the bridge back by walking or running across it and then returning – A Bridge to Hope. Check-in and Race Bib Pick-up starts at 5:30 p.m. and we will honor and remember with a bead ceremony at 6 p.m. then start the walk/run at 6:15 p.m.
Why This Matters?
Suicide affects every community no matter what race, age, or gender. There are parts of our population that are at greater risk, and knowing the signs, knowing what to do, and knowing how to react can save a life.
In Pierce County:
Suicide is the ninth leading cause of death.
The local suicide rate is approximately 20% higher than the national average.
Young adults ages 20-39 experience significantly higher suicide rates than elsewhere in Washington.
Veterans die by suicide at twice the rate of non-veterans.
Adults age 85 and older face the highest suicide risk in the county.
While this is one day, it can mean a lot. It could save your child or parent’s life. It could save a friend. It could save you.
Please learn more, and if you have time, sign up and join us. If you can’t make it, please consider sending this e-mail or the link to your network.
Changes Coming to Federal Programs
While I disagree with the decisions that Congress and our President have made around changes to Medicaid (Apple Health), they are coming. If you are currently eligible for Apple Health in Pierce County, please visit the state's “Changes Coming to Apple Health” page for information.
Beginning October 1, 2026, individuals with certain immigration statuses may no longer be eligible for Apple Health (Medicaid). This includes asylees, refugees, victims of trafficking and others.
Beginning January 1, 2027, adults ages 19-64 who qualify for Apple Health for Adults must renew their coverage every six months (previously one year) and meet new 80-hour-per-month work requirements unless they meet an exemption.
These changes are going to hurt your neighbors or you if you do not understand what you might need to do proactively to retain benefits OR find a way to support yourself once the changes are put in place. Please share this information broadly so people can prepare.
Community Connections
District 6 Library Events: Pierce County Library events and classes at the Anderson Island, DuPont, Lakewood, Parkland/Spanaway, Steilacoom, Tillicum, and Virtual libraries.
Patriots Day: Friday, Sept. 11th at 1 p.m. Please join DuPont Fire Chief Mickey Gillie and the community to place a commemorative plaque at the Freedom Tree in Ross Plaza, 1500 Ross Loop Road.
Touch a Truck: Saturday, Sept. 12th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sprinker Recreation Center. Join us for this free event so young people and the young at heart can explore, sit in and ask questions about the many vehicles used in public safety and keeping up with our infrastructure. This is free and we will hold a special no-horns time from 12-1 p.m. for those that need a quieter experience.
Big Bargain Bonanza-City Wide Yard Sale: Saturday, Sept. 12th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. show at Clocktower Park in DuPont as people turn out to sell items they want to part with. You can reserve a spot to be a seller as well.
Community Expo in Lakewood by the Korean Women’s Association (KWA): Wednesday, Sept. 16th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Clover Park Technical College McGavick Conference Center.
Parkland Community Center Rummage Sale: Friday, Sept. 18th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. & Saturday, Sept. 19th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Parkland School you can shop for clothes, antiques, toys and craft items. Stop by any time.
Steilacoom Welcomes FBI To Town For Financial Fraud Awareness and Prevention Presentation on Sept. 16, beginning at 6 p.m. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, in partnership with the Steilacoom Department of Public Safety, will provide a community presentation regarding financial fraud awareness and prevention. At the Town Hall, 1717 Lafyette Street.
Community Clean-Up in Parkland: Saturday, Sept. 19th from 10 a.m. to noon, meeting at the Hauge Admin room 101 meeting at 1:30 p.m.
Fiesta de la Familia: Saturday, September 26 from 12 to 6 p.m. at Fort Steilacoom Park. Enjoy food, fun, music and cool cars at this community event.
While I haven’t lost any relatives to suicide, I know that I have had family struggle. I have also, sadly, lost students and a friend. Each life had a story that will never be finished. Each life that ended early left behind family, friends, teachers and pets without their light. Each life could have potentially been saved with better support or more help, but we will never know.
What I do know is that on the 18th we can all learn together about ways to respond to help reduce the stigma and provide support. We can be a bridge to hope and healing by learning the signs, and what to do!
Hope to see you there,
Jani