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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | August 15, 2014 02:34 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Ryan E. Mackenzie |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Suicide Prevention Week |
| In the near future, I plan to introduce a resolution designating September 8 – 14, 2014 as Suicide Prevention Week in Pennsylvania, which is also recognized at the national level. Suicide is a leading cause of death in Pennsylvania and these losses are almost all preventable. On average, one person dies by suicide every 5 hours in Pennsylvania and is the second leading cause of death for 25-34 year olds, the third leading cause of death for 10-24 year olds, and the fourth leading cause of death for individuals under the age of 65 in Pennsylvania More than 90% of people who take their own lives have an underlying mental illness at the time of their death and that illness was often never identified or treated. The stigma associated with mental illness and suicide works against suicide prevention by discouraging persons at risk for suicide from seeking life-saving help and further isolating survivors of suicide loss and attempts I urge you to join me in co-sponsorship of this important resolution to help raise awareness of this enormous public health issue. |
Introduced as HR981