AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has signed an executive order designed to boost suicide prevention efforts in Maine.

The order signed by the Republican governor on Tuesday requires the state departments to develop suicide prevention and awareness policies.

Each state agency will educate employees about the resources available to themselves or co-workers who they feel may be at risk for suicide. The governor’s office says it hopes other Maine employers will develop similar policies.

The state says that 1,169 people died by suicide in Maine between 2007 and 2012.

LePage will also receive an award on Tuesday from the Maine Suicide Prevention Program for his suicide awareness and prevention efforts.

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