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A
Resolution declaring the week of September 6 as Kentucky Suicide
Prevention Week
WHEREAS,
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in Kentucky among young people
the ages of 15 to 34 years; and
WHEREAS,
Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death in Kentucky among people the
ages of 35 to 54 years; and
WHEREAS,
The rate of suicide for older adults is disproportionately high, with
Kentuckians age 65 years and older having a rate higher than of younger
Kentuckians; and
WHEREAS,
Over 600 Kentuckians each year, or an average of 1.5 people every day
die by suicide; and
WHEREAS,
suicide
is one of the most preventable forms of death; and
WHEREAS,
Suicide is a major public health problem that can be reduced with
effective actions, when
Initiatives
dedicated to the prevention of suicide, to the promotion of effective
treatment for persons at risk, and to the support of persons who have
lost a loved one to suicide, are encouraged; and
WHEREAS,
An estimated 3,000 plus Kentuckians attempt suicide each year; and
WHEREAS,
In the year 2006, in Kentucky, 2,088 suicide attempters were treated in
emergency rooms or admitted to hospitals for treatment, and the hospital
costs alone for suicide attempters admitted as inpatients exceeded 17
million dollars; and
WHEREAS,
59 percent of suicide attempters admitted to hospitals as inpatients did
not have private insurance, and the remaining costs were absorbed by
government and the hospitals; and
WHEREAS,
Suicide death of Kentuckians out number homicide deaths by 3 to 1.
WHEREAS,
the Kentucky city of Louisville, had 111 deaths in 2008, more deaths
than any year prior; and
WHEREAS,
Suicide is often the result of untreated mental illness, especially
depressive illnesses, and research indicates that many suicides would
have been preventable with immediate and appropriate intervention and
treatment; and
WHEREAS,
Research demonstrates that increased public awareness of the warning
signs of suicide, and awareness of appropriate and effective
intervention strategies, reduces suicide deaths; and
WHEREAS,
the Kentucky Suicide Prevention Group serving as a workgroup of
the Commission on Services and Supports for Individuals with Mental
Illness, Substance Abuse and Other Drug Disorders, and Dual Diagnoses
continues to focus on its mission to decrease suicide deaths and
attempts in the Commonwealth through advocacy, education, training, and
evaluation; and
WHEREAS,
Over 200 volunteers across the Commonwealth of Kentucky have been
trained by the Kentucky Suicide Prevention Group as QPR – Question, Persuade, Refer suicide
prevention gatekeeper
trainers to teach family, friends, and all citizens in the commonwealth,
how to help save the life of someone in a mental health crisis; and
WHEREAS,
Suicide prevention opportunities continue to increase due to advances in
clinical research pertaining to the diagnosis and effective treatment of
mental illness, along with advances in neuroscience and in the
development of community-based suicide prevention initiatives; and
WHEREAS, Much more can be
done to reduce the stigma associated with seeking help for emotional or
mental health problems, as well as for seeking help for suicidal
thoughts and behavior; and
WHEREAS,
As many as one third of the people in the Commonwealth of Kentucky,
suffer devastating and long lasting emotional trauma when a family
member, friend, co-worker, neighbor or classmate dies as a result of
suicide; and
WHEREAS,
Suicide prevention is a state priority, and counties and local
communities are encouraged also to declare suicide prevention a priority
and public and private organizations are encouraged to work in mutual
cooperation with the Kentucky Suicide Prevention Group to continue
developing and implementing a Kentucky Strategy for Suicide Prevention
using the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention as a guideline; and
WHEREAS,
citizens
of the Commonwealth are encouraged to join in recognizing Suicide
Prevention Week and in promoting suicide prevention activities.
Now,
therefore,
Be
it resolved by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:
Resolved,
That
the Members will encourage initiatives dedicated to preventing suicide,
helping people at risk for suicide and people who have attempted
suicide, promoting
safe and effective treatment for persons at risk, supporting people who have lost someone
to suicide, and be it further
Resolved,
That the Members encourage the development, promotion, and
accessibility of public health services to enable all persons at risk
for suicide to obtain these services without fear of any stigma and be
it further
Resolved,
That
the Members hereby proclaim September 6 through September 12, 2009, ‘‘Suicide Prevention Week’’; and be it further
Resolved,
That
the Secretary transmit copies of this passed resolution to the authors
for appropriate distribution.
Stephen Ulrich, Kentucky Suicide Prevention Group
Legislative Day Chairperson,
10515 Leven Blvd., Louisville, Kentucky
40229
502.387.0420
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