Political Quotes

“September is Suicide Prevention Month, and almost every 12 minutes, an American dies by suicide. It is now the 10th leading cause of death in the United States of America. The Centers for Disease Control recently reported a 30 percent increase in suicide rates in the last 30 years, with nearly 45,000 Americans taking their own lives in 2016. Mr. Speaker, suicide is preventable. Increasing access to crisis resources saves lives. Mental and behavioral health research saves lives. Ending the stigma surrounding suicide and reaching out for help saves lives. On average, one person dies by suicide every 4 hours in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, according to research from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. There is no single cause of suicide, and suicide risk increases when several health factors and life stressors converge to create an experience of hopelessness and despair. But, together, we can reverse this course. By making mental healthcare, substance abuse treatment, and suicide prevention a national priority, we can reverse the tide on these deaths of despair. We will save lives, and we will do it together. ____________________”