IV 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 782 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 13, 2012 Mr. Boswell (for himself and Mr. McDermott) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Supporting the goals and ideals of National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month.

Whereas suicide is the 10th leading cause of all deaths in the United States and the third leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 15 to 24; Whereas in the United States, on average, there is a death by suicide every 14.2 minutes; Whereas it is estimated that 4,730,000 people in the United States are survivors of suicide (those who have lost a loved one to suicide); Whereas an increase in the overall suicide rate in the United States occurred in 2009, the suicide rate for those between the ages of 15 to 24 has more than doubled since the mid-1950s, and the suicide rate remains highest for adults 75 years of age and older; Whereas suicide is now the leading noncombat cause of death among members of the Armed Forces and the leading cause of death in the Army; Whereas 38 members of the Army died during July 2012, by either confirmed or suspected suicide, resulting in the highest one-month tally of suicides in recent Army history; Whereas in the United States, on average, 18 veterans are lost to suicide every day; Whereas the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act (Public Law 110–110) was enacted into law in 2007 to establish a comprehensive program for suicide prevention among veterans; Whereas the law created the Veterans Crisis Line, which has answered more than 650,000 telephone calls and made more than 23,000 life-saving rescues; Whereas the stigma associated with mental illness and suicidality works against suicide prevention by discouraging persons at risk for suicide from seeking life-saving help and further traumatizes survivors of suicide; Whereas a great many suicides are preventable; and Whereas September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)supports the goals and ideals of National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month; (2)supports the efforts of National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month to raise awareness and improve outreach to persons at risk for suicide, especially such efforts addressed to veterans and members of the Armed Forces; and (3)encourages the people of the United States to learn more about the warning signs of suicide and how each person can help prevent suicide and promote mental health.