[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 75 (Monday, May 24, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5882-S5883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUPPORT FOR S. RES. 99

 Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask that the attached letter of 
support from the American Psychological Association be printed in the 
Record in support of S. Res. 99.
  The letter follows:

                           American Psychological Association,

                                     Washington, DC, May 10, 1999.
     Hon. Harry Reid,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Reid: On behalf of the 159,000 members and 
     affiliates of the American Psychological Association (APA), I 
     want to express support for your proposed Senate Resolution 
     that would designate November 20, 1999, as ``National 
     Survivors for Prevention of Suicide Day.''
       The APA is concerned that suicide rates among young 
     adolescents, African American males, American Indians/Alaskan 
     Natives, and the elderly have increased dramatically in 
     recent years. Since the 1950's, suicide rates among youth 
     have nearly tripled. Between 1980 and 1990, the suicide rate 
     increased by 30 percent in the 10- to 19-year-old age group. 
     Suicide is the second leading cause of death for 15- to 24-
     year-old American Indians and Alaskan Natives. For Americans 
     age 65 and older, the suicide rate increased by nine percent 
     between 1980 and 1992 Elderly Americans comprise about 13 
     percent of the country's population but account for about 20 
     percent of all suicides.
       Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death in the United 
     States--our country is in dire need of a national effort to 
     prevent suicide. In response to that need, the Surgeon 
     General has been working with mental health advocates to 
     develop a National Strategy for the Prevention of Suicide and 
     is expected to publish a final version of the coordinated 
     strategy later this year.
       Your proposed Senate resolution would serve to further the 
     intent of S. Res. 84, which you successfully introduced in 
     the last Congress, to recognize suicide as a national problem 
     and declare suicide prevention as a national priority. The 
     proposed resolution would acknowledge the trauma of those who 
     have suffered the loss of a loved one from suicide (suicide 
     survivors) and the support they derive from one another. 
     Their active involvement individually and through 
     organizations has been instrumental in efforts to reduce 
     suicide through research, education, and treatment programs.
       In closing, the APA lends its support to you and other 
     members of Congress in securing passage of this resolution. 
     We also look forward to learning more about the 
     administration's initiatives at the upcoming hearing on the 
     National Strategy for the Prevention

[[Page S5883]]

     of Suicide before the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor-
     Health and Human Services-and Education.
           With best regards,

                                     Raymond D. Fowler, Ph.D.,

                                      Executive Vice President and
     Chief Executive Officer.

                          ____________________