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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Suicide rates rose across the United States from |
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2000 to 2017, and the State of Texas saw a nearly 36 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 more than 48,000 lives in 2018 alone; because of |
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the COVID-19 pandemic, it is almost certain there will be a further |
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increase in the number of suicides reported for 2020 and 2021; |
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moreover, there are millions of adults who have seriously |
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considered or attempted suicide, and the stigma associated with |
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mental health conditions often prevents these individuals from |
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seeking the care they need; and |
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WHEREAS, There has also been an alarming increase in the |
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number of suicide attempts and deaths by suicide in Texas |
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correctional institutions, with little understanding of what the |
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cause might be; 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 87th 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, including in Texas correctional |
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institutions; 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 87th 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 88th Texas |
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Legislature before it convenes in January 2023. |