82R841 MMS-D
By: Naishtat H.C.R. No. 40
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Suicide is a major preventable cause of premature
death in the State of Texas; and
WHEREAS, According to the latest available figures,
approximately 30 Texans attempt suicide every day, and on average,
6 attempts are completed; death by one's own hand stands as the 11th
leading cause of mortality in the state overall, ranking 7th among
men and 14th among women; and
WHEREAS, Suicide is the third leading cause of death for
young Texans and the second leading cause of death for college-age
youth; a large number of suicides occur among the middle-aged as
well, while the elderly suffer the highest rate; veterans and
active-duty military personnel in Texas are also at high risk for
suicide; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the personal suffering involved,
suicide entails significant social costs; the average medical
expense associated with each suicide death is $4,000, while the
medical cost of each suicide attempt averages nearly $9,000; in
addition, the "work loss" cost per suicide death has been
calculated at $1.2 million; and
WHEREAS, The causes of suicide are complex and include
psychological, biological, and sociological factors; among those
who die by suicide, 90 percent are suffering from an underlying
mental health or substance abuse condition; the most common mental
health problem affecting those who commit suicide is a depressive
disorder; sadly, the stigma attached to mental illness often
discourages individuals who are afflicted from seeking help; and
WHEREAS, Public health researchers, however, consider
suicide to be one of the most preventable causes of death;
opportunities for reducing the incidence of suicide continue to
improve, thanks to advances in neuroscience, progress in diagnosing
and treating mental illness, and the growing number of
community-based suicide prevention initiatives; and
WHEREAS, September 10 is now recognized annually as World
Suicide Prevention Day; within this country, the Substance Abuse
Mental Health Services Administration, the U.S. Suicide Prevention
Resource Center, the American Association of Suicidology, and the
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, together with Mental
Health America of Texas and the Texas Suicide Prevention Council,
have endorsed the week encompassing September 10 as a time to
promote understanding about suicide and to highlight resources for
addressing its precipitating causes; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby designate the Sunday through Saturday surrounding World
Suicide Prevention Day, September 10, each year as Texas Suicide
Prevention Week.