2021 -- H 6461

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LC002722

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING SEPTEMBER OF 2021, AS "NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION

MONTH" AND THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 5TH-11TH AS "NATIONAL SUICIDE

PREVENTION WEEK" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Casimiro, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Filippi, Phillips,
Fellela, Cortvriend, Ajello, Solomon, and Morales

     Date Introduced: June 23, 2021

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in

2020, suicide was the twelfth leading cause of death in the United States and the second leading

cause of death for individuals between the ages of ten and thirty-four; and

     WHEREAS, When someone dies by suicide, the loss is felt by many. The ripples of loss

spread from close family and friends to community members, acquaintances and even people the

deceased did not know; and

     WHEREAS, The CDC reported that in 2019, 12 million Americans thought about

committing suicide, 3.5 million Americans make an actual plan for suicide, and in 2020, 44,834

Americans committed suicide; and

     WHEREAS, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention estimates that suicide and

self-injury costs the United States $69 billion; and

     WHEREAS, According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 7,000 military and former

military personnel, active service and reserve service members, and veterans, commit suicide

each year; and

     WHEREAS, As tragic as the suicide numbers are in the United States, they would be far

worse if not for the tireless work provided by countless suicide prevention volunteers throughout

the United States; and

     WHEREAS, Researchers have consistently found that simply having an existing hotline

and a trained volunteer is the best way to save lives. Suicide prevention callers who turned away

from suicide most commonly credit the hotline and the volunteer they talked with as being most

responsible for their choice to continue living; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

commemorates September of 2021, as "National Suicide Prevention Month" and the week of

September 5th-11th as "National Suicide Prevention Week" in the State of Rhode Island; and be

it further

     RESOLVED, That this House hereby recognizes that suicide is a serious national public

health problem and thanks all the suicide prevention advocates and volunteers for the lives they

save every day; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to The Samaritans of Rhode Island.

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