SENATE RESOLUTION 60

(By Senators Clements, Stollings, Cline, Prezioso, Plymale, and Boso)

[Introduced March 2, 2018]

Designating March 2, 2018, as Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day at the Legislature.

Whereas, West Virginia ranks eleventh in the nation for deaths by suicide; and

Whereas, In West Virginia, suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth and young adults ages 10-34; the third leading cause of death for adults ages 35-44; the sixth leading cause for adults ages 45-54; the eighth leading cause for adults ages 55-64; and tenth leading cause of death overall; and

Whereas, Upwards of 90 percent of individuals who ultimately die by suicide were living with a diagnosable mental health condition at the time of their death; and

Whereas, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education, and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death; and

Whereas, The West Virginia Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention was chartered in 2015, and is now in its third year of existence; and

Whereas, The West Virginia Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has developed many important suicide prevention programs and initiatives and are dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, through research, education, advocacy, and resources for those who have lost or struggle; and

Whereas, Volunteers serve the entire state using their life’s experiences as fuel for their fire in an effort to ensure that fewer West Virginia families are impacted by suicide loss; and

Whereas, The vision of the American Foundation for Suicide prevention is a world without suicide and it is their goal to reduce the rate of suicide by 20 percent by the year 2025; and

Whereas, Raising awareness is an integral part of eliminating suicide; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby designates March 2, 2018, as Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day at the Legislature; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate acknowledges the important work of raising awareness to prevent suicide by the volunteers of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention West Virginia Chapter; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the West Virginia Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.