Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the tragic epidemic that impacts too many Montanans and Americans. Suicide rates are increasing across the country. On average, a Montanan dies by suicide every 33 hours. Suicide is now the eighth leading cause of death in Montana. The Centers for Disease Control recently reported a 30 percent increase in suicide rates in the last 20 years, with nearly 45,000 Americans taking their own lives in 2016. Veterans account for almost 20 percent of all suicides in the United States. Suicide rates amongst farmers have been increasing. We, however, can reverse the trajectory of one of the leading causes of death in this country. There is good news coming out of Montana. The Billings Clinic, which I recently toured, announced it will launch Montana's first psychiatric residency program. This will expand access to mental healthcare for our more rural areas. I speak out today during Suicide Prevention Week because suicide is preventable. Access to crisis resources saves lives. Mental and behavioral health research saves lives. Ending the stigma surrounding suicide saves lives ____________________”