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Arkansas City Proclaims Day of Hope to Raise Mental Health Awareness

Jory Boyd

• 1 min read
Arkansas City Proclaims Day of Hope to Raise Mental Health Awareness

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — Mayor Tad Stover issued a proclamation recognizing Feb. 12, 2026, as Day of Hope in Arkansas City during the Feb. 6 City Commission meeting.

The proclamation highlights the community's commitment to supporting mental health and well-being and recognizes the work of Hope Squads of Cowley County and its peer-to-peer approach to building connection, raising awareness and helping prevent suicide.

The proclamation noted alarming statistics about youth mental health in the United States:

  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10-34.
  • More than 49,000 Americans died by suicide in 2023, with more than 1.5 million attempts.
  • In Kansas, 550 lives were lost in 2023.

Residents are invited to participate in Day of Hope by taking small but meaningful steps, such as checking in on a friend, starting a thoughtful conversation or supporting organizations dedicated to mental health and suicide prevention.