Sep. 08, 2017
HARRISBURG – The House of Representatives has designated this Sunday, Sept. 10, as Suicide Prevention Day and September 2017 as Suicide Prevention Month in Pennsylvania.
House Resolution 401, sponsored by Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin), aims to raise awareness that suicide is preventable, improve education about suicide, spread information about suicide awareness and decrease stigmatization regarding suicide. The resolution passed the House unanimously in June.
“We cannot stay silent about the tragedy of suicide,” Benninghoff said. “Speaking out, raising awareness, eliminating the stigma and promoting mental wellness could be enough to save a life. Every life is worth saving.”
Suicide is a major preventable cause of premature death which is influenced by psychosocial, cultural and environmental risk factors that can be prevented through worldwide responses that address these main risk factors. There is strong evidence indicating that adequate prevention strategies can reduce suicide rates.
According to the World Health Organization, nearly 3,000 people, on average, die by suicide daily. Over 1,800 Pennsylvania lives are taken by suicide annually. For every person who dies of suicide, 20 or more may attempt to end their lives.
On Tuesday, Benninghoff presented a copy of House Resolution 401 to Marisa Vicere, president of the Jana Marie Foundation, at the foundation’s fifth annual Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day event at the Centre County court house in Bellefonte.
Benninghoff encourages residents to visit
suicidepreventionlifeline.org for more information. The national suicide prevention hotline is 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Representative Kerry Benninghoff
House Majority Policy Committee Chairman
171st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Morgan Wagner
717.260.6281
mwagner@pahousegop.com
KerryBenninghoff.com /
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