The Llano County Commissioners Court has officially proclaimed September 2025 as Suicide Prevention Month, underscoring the urgent need for awareness, intervention, and support in both the Hill Country and across Texas.
The proclamation, signed August 25 by County Judge Ron Cunningham and all four commissioners, highlights the sobering reality that suicide remains a leading cause of death for Texans of nearly every age group. In 2023 alone, more than 4,376 Texans lost their lives to suicide. Texas has seen a 47% increase in suicide mortality since 1999, with the Hill Country region experiencing an even greater spike—a 76% increase—during the same period.
For Llano, the issue feels painfully close. The Llano Police Department has responded to multiple suicides since November 2024, leaving families and first responders grappling with the aftershocks of tragedy. Each loss is not just a statistic—it leaves an immeasurable impact on loved ones and ripples through the entire community.
