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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Suicide rates rose across the United States from |
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1999 to 2016, and the State of Texas saw a nearly 20 percent |
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increase during that period; and |
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WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and |
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Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the |
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nation, claiming nearly 45,000 lives in 2016 alone; moreover, there |
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are millions of adults who have seriously considered or attempted |
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suicide, and the stigma associated with mental health conditions |
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often prevents these individuals from seeking the care they need; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, While the social impact of these deaths is |
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undeniable but difficult to quantify, the economic toll of suicide |
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on society is clear, with suicides and suicide attempts costing the |
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nation approximately $70 billion annually in lifetime medical and |
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work-loss costs; and |
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WHEREAS, All 50 states have a suicide prevention plan, but |
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most states, including Texas, do not require suicide prevention |
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training for health care professionals; evidence shows that states |
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and communities can do more to identify and support people at risk |
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of suicide by teaching coping skills, promoting safe and supportive |
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environments, and connecting people to effective and coordinated |
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mental and physical health care; and |
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WHEREAS, Suicide is a public health issue of vital importance |
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to all Texans, and the development of suicide prevention strategies |
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would help to save lives; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby request the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house |
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of representatives to create a joint interim committee to study |
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suicide prevention in Texas; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the committee's proceedings and operations be |
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governed by such general rules and policies for interim committees |
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as the 86th Texas Legislature may adopt; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the committee shall submit a full report, |
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including findings and recommendations, to the 87th Texas |
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Legislature before it convenes in January 2021. |