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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 14, 2022 04:42 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Patrick J. Stefano |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Requiring Safe2Say and Suicide Prevention Hotlines on Student ID Cards |
| In the near future, I plan to reintroduce legislation requiring all Pennsylvania public and charter schools to print the Safe2Say Something Hotline (1-844-723-2729) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) on student identification cards. Suicide and bullying have become an epidemic in our Commonwealth, and the stigmas surrounding them make it difficult to seek and receive help when one needs it. Unfortunately, this can be especially true for our children and young adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is the second leading cause of death among those aged 10 through 24. Between 2007 and 2017, suicide rates increased by 56% for this age group. Every year in the U.S., more deaths occur from suicide than car accidents, homicide, or cancer. The Safe2Say Something program’s original intent was to prevent threats against a school, but its implementation has identified a variety of behavior and mental health issues in our schools. Since the program began accepting reports in January 2019, more than 47,000 reports have been made. According to the program, we also know that 1,000,000 students reported being harassed, threatened, or subject to other forms of cyberbullying, and 70% of people who commit suicide told someone of their plans and gave some form of warning. Similarly, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has received over 11.5 million calls in the last five years. Since its founding, roughly 12% of suicidal callers said that talking to someone at the Lifeline prevented them from harming or killing themselves. Additionally, almost 50% followed through with a counselor’s referral to seek emergency services or contacted mental health services, while 80% said that the Lifeline had something to do with keeping them alive. It is apparent that now more than ever, our children are struggling. It is incumbent on us to provide them with the tools and resources necessary to prevent such tragedies. Both the Safe2Say Something program and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline have proven track records of making a positive difference. I believe that making their respective information easily accessible to our students can help curb the rising rates of suicide among our youth This measure was previously co-sponsored by Senators Cappelletti, Collett, Costa, Fontana, Kane, Kearney, Mastriano, Muth, Schwank, J. Ward, and Yudichak. Please join me in this effort to provide guidance, clarity, and agency to the children who need it most. If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact Emily Hildebrand in my office at ehildebrand@pasen.gov. |