Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 106 CHAPTER 167 Relative to Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. [ Filed with Secretary of State September 14, 2023. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTACR 106, Pellerin. Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.This measure would proclaim the month of September 2023 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.Digest Key Fiscal Committee: NO Bill TextWHEREAS, September is known nationally as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month to raise the visibility of the mental health resources and suicide prevention services available in our community; andWHEREAS, The goal is to speak openly about the importance of mental health and the impacts of suicide to help remove the surrounding stigmas, and to direct those in need to the appropriate support services; andWHEREAS, Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, income level, religion, or background; and WHEREAS, According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), suicide is the second leading cause of death among adults 25 to 34 years of age, inclusive, the second leading cause of death among Native American youth 10 to 20 years of age, inclusive, and the third leading cause of death among individuals 10 to 24 years of age, inclusive, in California; andWHEREAS, Four thousand one hundred forty-three people died by suicide in California in 2020, which, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), was more than twice the number of homicides; andWHEREAS, Since the beginning of 2023, there has been an average of 67 suicides per day in the United States. That is one every 21 minutes; andWHEREAS, In California, in 2020, more than three-quarters of those who died by suicide, at 78 percent, were males; andWHEREAS, Most of those who died by suicide in California in 2020 were White, at 61 percent, or Hispanic, at 23 percent; andWHEREAS, Firearms were used in one out of three of those suicide deaths; andWHEREAS, LGBTQIA+ youth are almost five times as likely to have attempted suicide compared to heterosexual youth, 54 percent of transgender and nonbinary youth in California considered suicide, and 19 percent of transgender and nonbinary youth attempted suicide in the past year; andWHEREAS, In 2021, 12,300,000 American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3,500,000 made a plan, and 1,700,000 attempted suicide; andWHEREAS, In California, the suicide rate is 10.4 per 100,000 residents, compared to 14.04 nationwide; andWHEREAS, More than 76 percent of communities in California did not have enough mental health providers to serve residents in 2021, according to federal guidelines; andWHEREAS, In July 2022, the 988 suicide prevention lifeline went live in California, and there was a 45-percent increase in calls thanks to the easy-to-remember three-digit telephone number; andWHEREAS, Anyone can call or text 988, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year, to receive support when experiencing a suicidal, mental health, or substance use-related crisis; andWHEREAS, Suicide is preventable: recognize the signs that someone may be suicidal, find the words to speak to them, and direct them to resources; andWHEREAS, The State of California recognizes the national, state, and local organizations, such as the AFSP, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide (SPTS), The Trevor Project, the State Department of Mental Health, and county departments of behavioral health, are on the front lines of a war that many still refuse to discuss, as suicide and mental health remain too uncomfortable for many to talk about; andWHEREAS, It may be beneficial to focus prevention programs and resources on vulnerable populations who are most at risk of suicide, including White males, LGBTQIA individuals, youth, veterans, Hispanic individuals, and Native Americans; andWHEREAS, Other risk factors can also identify groups who may need support, such as older adults with physical health programs, individuals with alcohol or substance abuse problems, individuals with a history of suicidal thoughts or plans, and individuals in crisis; andWHEREAS, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness of this stigmatized public health crisis in California. The Legislature wants to shift public perception, spread hope, and share vital information to people affected by suicide during this month; andWHEREAS, Californias goal is to ensure that individuals, friends, and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help; andWHEREAS, The Legislature encourages all California residents to take the time to ask about the wellbeing of their family, friends, and neighbors over the next few days and to genuinely convey their appreciation for their existence by any gesture they think appropriate, including a simple telephone call, message, handshake, or hug, which can go a long way toward helping someone realize that suicide is not the answer; now therefore, be itResolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims the month of September 2023 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month; and be it furtherResolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 106 CHAPTER 167 Relative to Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. [ Filed with Secretary of State September 14, 2023. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTACR 106, Pellerin. Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.This measure would proclaim the month of September 2023 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.Digest Key Fiscal Committee: NO
Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 106 CHAPTER 167
Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 106
CHAPTER 167
Relative to Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
[ Filed with Secretary of State September 14, 2023. ]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
ACR 106, Pellerin. Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
This measure would proclaim the month of September 2023 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
This measure would proclaim the month of September 2023 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
WHEREAS, September is known nationally as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month to raise the visibility of the mental health resources and suicide prevention services available in our community; and
WHEREAS, The goal is to speak openly about the importance of mental health and the impacts of suicide to help remove the surrounding stigmas, and to direct those in need to the appropriate support services; and
WHEREAS, Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, income level, religion, or background; and
WHEREAS, According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), suicide is the second leading cause of death among adults 25 to 34 years of age, inclusive, the second leading cause of death among Native American youth 10 to 20 years of age, inclusive, and the third leading cause of death among individuals 10 to 24 years of age, inclusive, in California; and
WHEREAS, Four thousand one hundred forty-three people died by suicide in California in 2020, which, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), was more than twice the number of homicides; and
WHEREAS, Since the beginning of 2023, there has been an average of 67 suicides per day in the United States. That is one every 21 minutes; and
WHEREAS, In California, in 2020, more than three-quarters of those who died by suicide, at 78 percent, were males; and
WHEREAS, Most of those who died by suicide in California in 2020 were White, at 61 percent, or Hispanic, at 23 percent; and
WHEREAS, Firearms were used in one out of three of those suicide deaths; and
WHEREAS, LGBTQIA+ youth are almost five times as likely to have attempted suicide compared to heterosexual youth, 54 percent of transgender and nonbinary youth in California considered suicide, and 19 percent of transgender and nonbinary youth attempted suicide in the past year; and
WHEREAS, In 2021, 12,300,000 American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3,500,000 made a plan, and 1,700,000 attempted suicide; and
WHEREAS, In California, the suicide rate is 10.4 per 100,000 residents, compared to 14.04 nationwide; and
WHEREAS, More than 76 percent of communities in California did not have enough mental health providers to serve residents in 2021, according to federal guidelines; and
WHEREAS, In July 2022, the 988 suicide prevention lifeline went live in California, and there was a 45-percent increase in calls thanks to the easy-to-remember three-digit telephone number; and
WHEREAS, Anyone can call or text 988, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year, to receive support when experiencing a suicidal, mental health, or substance use-related crisis; and
WHEREAS, Suicide is preventable: recognize the signs that someone may be suicidal, find the words to speak to them, and direct them to resources; and
WHEREAS, The State of California recognizes the national, state, and local organizations, such as the AFSP, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide (SPTS), The Trevor Project, the State Department of Mental Health, and county departments of behavioral health, are on the front lines of a war that many still refuse to discuss, as suicide and mental health remain too uncomfortable for many to talk about; and
WHEREAS, It may be beneficial to focus prevention programs and resources on vulnerable populations who are most at risk of suicide, including White males, LGBTQIA individuals, youth, veterans, Hispanic individuals, and Native Americans; and
WHEREAS, Other risk factors can also identify groups who may need support, such as older adults with physical health programs, individuals with alcohol or substance abuse problems, individuals with a history of suicidal thoughts or plans, and individuals in crisis; and
WHEREAS, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness of this stigmatized public health crisis in California. The Legislature wants to shift public perception, spread hope, and share vital information to people affected by suicide during this month; and
WHEREAS, Californias goal is to ensure that individuals, friends, and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help; and
WHEREAS, The Legislature encourages all California residents to take the time to ask about the wellbeing of their family, friends, and neighbors over the next few days and to genuinely convey their appreciation for their existence by any gesture they think appropriate, including a simple telephone call, message, handshake, or hug, which can go a long way toward helping someone realize that suicide is not the answer; now therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims the month of September 2023 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.