Albany, N.Y., June 10--State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats), Senator Pam Helming (R,C-Canandaigua), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning), and Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski (R,C-Canisteo) today called on Governor Kathy Hochul to enact legislation they have sponsored and strongly supported to establish a statewide Rural Suicide Prevention Council. 

The legislation (S3610A/A8434), which Helming has sponsored and O’Mara has co-sponsored in the Senate for the past several years, has steadily gained strong bipartisan support in the Legislature and was approved unanimously by the Senate and Assembly last week during the closing days of this year’s legislative session.

Hochul vetoed similar legislation in 2024, citing fiscal concerns and stating her belief that existing state-level mental health programs and services already sufficiently address the concern. 

If signed into law by the governor, the new law would establish a 15-member Rural Suicide Prevention Council to examine the epidemic of suicide in rural New York and develop a comprehensive plan to address it. The Council would be comprised of the commissioners of the state departments of Agriculture, Health, and Mental Health, and 12 other members appointed by legislative leaders.

O’Mara, Helming, Palmesano, and Sempolinski have long championed the initiative to strengthen suicide prevention efforts in rural communities and regions like those they represent across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions. 

It’s a concern that they have been working closely on for the past several years with Corning resident and Steuben County Legislator Joseph Tobia. Tobia and his wife, Elisa, lost their son Matt to suicide in August 2021. 

In a joint statement, O’Mara, Helming, Palmesano, and Sempolinski said, “We strongly believe that the creation of a state-level Rural Suicide Prevention Council would be a lifeline for addressing the epidemic of rural suicide, and Governor Hochul should join the Legislature this year in recognizing the need and the potential effectiveness of this strategy. We have proudly worked alongside Joe Tobia and applaud him for his perseverance in seeing this legislation enacted into law. His commitment and his efforts have been heartfelt, steadfast, and tireless since the loss of his son, Matt. He has remained determined to do anything and everything he can to try to ensure that no other family has to face this tragedy alone, and we have welcomed the opportunity to help build bipartisan, strong legislative support. Now we need to convince Governor Hochul that this is the right thing to do. Rural suicide prevention deserves this attention and action. It’s time for the governor to act this year.”  

Steuben County Legislator Joseph Tobia said, “I am so thankful for the great efforts of so many of our elected officials to get this much needed bill over the finish line….an excellent bipartisan effort! With many Republicans and Democrats stepping in to move this bill forward, Senator O’Mara, Senator Helming, Assemblyman Palmesano, Assemblyman Sempolinski, Assemblymember Kelles, and Assemblymember Simon worked hard to make this happen. They are truly making a difference in people’s lives!! I am hopeful, and confident, that our Honorable Governor will continue her strong advocacy for mental health reform and sign this bill.”

A 2023 report found that the suicide rate in rural New York was twice that of urban New York and is increasing at a significantly greater rate. According to the report, the suicide rate increased 17% in rural areas of the state between 2019 and 2020.