HR 9103

1	House Resolution
2	A resolution recognizing April 22, 2009, as "Suicide
3	Prevention Day" in Florida.
4
5	WHEREAS, in 2007, 2,570 Floridians died by suicide, an
6	average of 7 people per day, and
7	WHEREAS, the epidemic of suicide has left all families and
8	communities susceptible to its devastation and remains a serious
9	public health problem, and
10	WHEREAS, the education and awareness of gatekeepers such as
11	parents and educators are recognized as two of the most crucial
12	factors in suicide intervention and prevention, and
13	WHEREAS, surveys indicate that children and adults informed
14	on the warning signs of depression and suicidal ideation will be
15	more likely to predict and prevent such an act, and
16	WHEREAS, increasing community awareness about the
17	importance of screening and treating mental illness can save
18	lives, and
19	WHEREAS, the stigma associated with mental illness and
20	suicide must be eliminated, and help-seeking behaviors must be
21	encouraged for those at risk, and
22	WHEREAS, a great many suicides are preventable, and
23	WHEREAS, comprehensive, synergistic approaches emphasizing
24	strategy and multiagency collaboration and cooperation are being
25	implemented to reduce the current suicide rate, and
26	WHEREAS, key efforts, such as community mobilization, the
27	launching of public information campaigns, and specialty
28	training for caregivers and community leaders, are being
29	established to meet the goal of lowering Florida's suicide rate,
30	NOW, THEREFORE,
31
32	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
33	Florida:
34
35	That the House of Representatives recognizes April 22,
36	2009, as "Suicide Prevention Day" in Florida in order to raise
37	suicide awareness, promote public education on the warning signs
38	of suicide, and recognize suicide prevention efforts as crucial
39	to averting the tragic loss of human life.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.