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Senate Adopts Suicide Prevention Week Resolution
Thompson Measure Designates September 4-10 to Increase
Awareness
HARRISBURG -- The
Senate recently adopted a resolution introduced by Senator Robert J. Thompson,
R-19th District, designating the week of September 4 through 10, 2005, as
“Suicide Prevention Week” in Pennsylvania. Speaking on the floor of the Senate,
Senator Thompson pointed out that while suicide rates are declining nationally,
more than 1,300 Pennsylvanians, or an average of 3.5 people each day, died by
suicide in 2003.
“Suicide rates for 15- to 24-year-olds has more than
doubled in the last several years and is continuing to rise. 170 in 2003 alone
committed suicide,” Senator Thompson said. “Suicide is one of the leading
causes in that age group. In fact my wife Nancy and I lost a 20 year-old son
just 20 years ago next month from suicide."
Senate Resolution 153 urges all residents of the
Commonwealth to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness and
depression and the risk factors associated with suicide.
“The tragedy is many suicides can be prevented when
families are aware of the danger signs and the public becomes more aware that
the problem is in many instances masked or brushed aside by the stigma of mental
illness and in many instances the problem itself isn’t mental illness,” Senator
Thompson said.
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