FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT
Erin McGrath Rieke
erin@justeproductions.org
ST. LOUIS COUNTY AND CITY OF MAPLEWOOD TO RECOGNIZE SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH
Two public presentations on September 22 will honor lives affected by suicide and promote awareness of 988 crisis support
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — The St. Louis County Council and the City of Maplewood will formally recognize September as Suicide Prevention Month during two public meetings on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
At 3:00 p.m., Councilwoman Lisa Clancy will present a St. Louis County Council resolution recognizing Suicide Prevention Month. The presentation will take place in the County Council Chamber at the Lawrence K. Roos Government Building, 41 S. Central Avenue in Clayton.
At 7:00 p.m., Maplewood Mayor Barry Greenberg will read and present the City of Maplewood’s Suicide Prevention Month proclamation during the Maplewood City Council meeting. The presentation is listed as agenda item 10a and will take place in the Council Chamber at Maplewood City Hall, 7601 Manchester Road.
Maplewood resident and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Missouri volunteer advocate Erin McGrath Rieke will accept the recognitions. McGrath Rieke is a suicide-attempt survivor whose advocacy draws upon years of work in mental-health education, crisis awareness and suicide prevention.
“Suicide Prevention Month is not simply another awareness month to me. It is deeply personal. I have lost someone I loved to suicide, and I barely survived it myself. I know how darkness can swallow a person’s world and make survival feel impossible. I also know that healing is possible, even when you cannot yet imagine a life beyond the pain,” McGrath Rieke said. “We must talk openly about suicide because shame thrives in silence. These proclamations remind us to recognize suffering and make help easier to reach.”
The resolution and proclamation will honor those who have died by suicide, people who have survived attempts, those currently experiencing suicidal thoughts, survivors of suicide loss, families, caregivers, advocates, crisis responders and mental-health professionals.
They will also raise awareness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Anyone experiencing a mental-health, suicide or substance-use crisis, or anyone concerned about another person, may call or text 988 or use the online chat service at 988lifeline.org. The service is available around the clock.
The Office of the St. Louis County Executive is also preparing a separate Suicide Prevention Month proclamation. Details regarding its presentation will be announced when confirmed.
Members of the public and media are welcome to attend either meeting.
EVENT DETAILS
St. Louis County Council Resolution
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.
St. Louis County Council Chamber
Lawrence K. Roos Government Building
41 S. Central Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105
City of Maplewood Proclamation
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
Maplewood City Hall, Council Chamber
7601 Manchester Road
Maplewood, MO 63143
ABOUT ERIN McGRATH RIEKE
Erin McGrath Rieke is a St. Louis-based artist, writer, peer counselor and mental-health advocate. She serves as a volunteer advocate with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Missouri and works with organizations addressing mental illness, suicide prevention, addiction, trauma, LGBTQ+ youth advocacy, and housing instability. As a suicide-attempt survivor, she speaks publicly about suicidal illness, survival and the possibility of building a meaningful life beyond crisis.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.