SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 66

Senators Bayer, Cavanagh, Brinks, Chang, Geiss, McMorrow, Moss and Polehanki offered the following resolution:

A resolution to designate September 2025 as Suicide Prevention Month.

Whereas, There is no single cause or solution to the issue of suicide, and we know that access to support and treatment can and does save lives; and

Whereas, Mental health can be a common factor for those contemplating suicide, and other contributing factors play a large role; and

Whereas, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States (U.S.) as well as the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34 years; and

Whereas, In the U.S., an individual dies by suicide every 11 minutes, resulting in nearly 48,000 deaths each year; and

Whereas, The stigma associated with mental health conditions and suicidality hinders suicide prevention by discouraging at-risk individuals from seeking lifesaving help and can further traumatize survivors of suicide loss and individuals with lived experience of suicide; and

Whereas, Despite mental health playing a factor in suicide prevention, many Americans continue to struggle to find treatment as a result of expense or inaccessibility; and

Whereas, We strongly support the efforts of national, state, and local partners, and every citizen to actively engage in public and private efforts to spread awareness about the importance of mental health to the wellbeing of our communities; and

Whereas, We recognize that suicide and suicide attempts affect the friends and loved ones of those around us; and

Whereas, Those experiencing suicidal thoughts or mental distress can call or text 988 to speak with someone free and confidentially; and

Whereas, We must continue to invest in mental health resources and address the stigma of ideation of suicide in order to ensure that no one feels they do not have someone to speak to when they need it; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body designate September 2025 as Suicide Prevention Month.