Designates neon yellow as official color to raise awareness of suicide among veterans.
In recognizing neon yellow as the official color for veteran suicide awareness, this resolution is expected to enhance public consciousness regarding the suicide rates among veterans. The intent is to create a visual representation of support for veterans, aiming to drive community engagement and support for mental health resources. With approximately 340,560 veterans residing in New Jersey, of which about 25,680 are women, the resolution underscores a collective responsibility towards these individuals who face significant emotional and mental health challenges.
If adopted, AJR14 is set to take effect immediately, thereby enabling the state to implement awareness activities using the neon yellow color. The swift passage of this resolution reflects a sense of urgency regarding veterans' mental health and suicide prevention efforts within New Jersey.
Assembly Joint Resolution No. 14 (AJR14) is a proposed joint resolution in the state of New Jersey that aims to designate neon yellow as the official color for raising awareness of suicide among veterans. This initiative stems from a dire situation wherein an average of 22 veterans reportedly commit suicide each day. The resolution seeks to honor the sacrifices of veterans and bring attention to the mental health challenges faced by those who have served in the military. By adopting neon yellow, the resolution aligns New Jersey with Pennsylvania, where this initiative was already in place under the name Vet 22.
The resolution does not appear to outline any significant contentions or opposition as it seeks to promote awareness for a critical issue affecting veterans. Instead, the focus is on fostering a supportive atmosphere for veterans and highlighting the state’s commitment to their mental health. The acknowledgment of a public health crisis, where veteran suicide rates are significantly higher than those of non-veterans, bolsters the need for proactive measures. The resolution advocates for communities to engage with veterans, helping them to address the 'invisible wounds' related to their service.