LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim May 6, 2015, as the First Annual New York State Suicide
Prevention Advocacy Day

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious issues that
affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim Wednesday, May 6, 2015, as the
First Annual New York State Suicide Prevention Advocacy Day; and
WHEREAS, This momentous occasion is sponsored by the American Society
for Suicide Prevention (ASFP), an organization dedicated to understand-
ing and preventing suicide through research, education, and advocacy;
and
WHEREAS, Between 2001 and 2009, an average of 33,000 suicide deaths
occurred each year in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Suicide is the 10th leading cause of all deaths in the United
States, the third leading cause of death among individuals between the
ages of 15 to 24, and the second leading cause of death among college
students; and
WHEREAS, Twenty percent of those who die by suicide are active or
retired members of the military; and
WHEREAS, In the United States, one person commits suicide every 14.2
minutes; and
WHEREAS, It is estimated that 4.6 million people in the United States
are survivors of suicide (those who have lost a loved one to suicide);
and
WHEREAS, 50.2 percent of people who die by suicide use a firearm, and
guns stored in the house are used for suicide 40 times more often than
for self-protection; and
WHEREAS, For every American who dies by suicide, more than 30 others
attempt suicide, and many more suffer the despair that leads them to
consider taking their own life; and
WHEREAS, The stigma surrounding suicide and mental illness too often
impede an individual's ability to seek treatment, share their personal
story, grieve appropriately for the loss of a loved one, and move
through a journey of healing and recovery; and
WHEREAS, A great many suicides are preventable; and
WHEREAS, Reducing the number of suicides requires the engagement and
commitment of people in many sectors in and outside of government,
including public health, mental health, health care, the Armed Forces,
business, entertainment, media, and education; and
WHEREAS, Effective prevention programs and policies stress the impor-
tance of wellness, resiliency, and protective factors; effective suicide
response and intervention programs address risk factors, mental health
and substance abuse services, and crisis response for those struggling
with suicidal behaviors; effective support programs are required for
those who have been touched by suicide or suicidal behavior; and
WHEREAS, State advocacy efforts, through legislation, such as mandat-
ing regular suicide prevention training for school personnel; requiring
anti-bullying and anti-cyber bullying policies in schools; ensuring
mental health parity and access to affordable mental health treatment;
and reducing access to firearms for persons at risk of suicide can lead
to state-wide improvements and awareness; and
WHEREAS, Thousands of advocates, caregivers, consumers and profes-
sionals work tirelessly to raise awareness, reduce stigma, educate New
Yorkers and influence public policy such that mental health services are

readily available and accessible, and the state's capacity to prevent
the tragedy of suicide among its populace is strengthened; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 6, 2015, as the
First Annual New York State Suicide Prevention Advocacy Day; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York, the American Society for Suicide Prevention, and the New York
State Chapters of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.