Political Quotes

“In November 1998, Essence Magazine reported that between 1980 and 1995 the suicide rate among Black males ages 10 to 19 more than doubled. According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study, suicide is now the third leading cause of death among all youth aged 15-19, and the fourth leading cause of death among children aged 10-14 nationally. In many states the problem is even worse. For example, suicide is the number one killer of adolescents 15-19 years old in Alaska and of children 10 to 14 years old in Oregon. The majority of children and adolescents at risk for suicidal behavior are not seen by mental health specialists; therefore, primary health care providers and others in regular contact with young people must be available to respond to these troubled youngsters. The legislation introduced today proposes to focus on seriously emotionally disabled children and adolescents and their families.”