[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 129 (Friday, September 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1638-E1639]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 21, 2012

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize September as 
Suicide Prevention Month. With nearly 30,000 Americans losing their 
lives to suicide each year, far too many of our friends and family 
members are not receiving the support and assistance so desperately 
needed. Suicide touches all groups, young and old, and knows no 
religious or ethnic boundaries. Today, however, I wish to focus on two 
groups who are disproportionately impacted by suicide.
  The first is our veterans--a growing number of suicides comes from 
within the ranks of those who have served or are serving in our armed 
forces. For many of our troops, repeated deployments and prolonged 
combat has exposed them to high amounts of stressi creating invisible 
wounds that contribute to suicide. These heroes put their lives on the 
line every day and upon returning, they deserve our support. We need to 
be there for our armed forces--veteran and active duty

[[Page E1639]]

service members alike. This is a tragic problem that needs to be 
urgently addressed but the reality is that there are not any easy 
answers and this challenge does not offer any quick fixes.
  I applaud Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and VA Secretary Eric K. 
Shinseki for marshaling the resources of the U.S. military and the 
Veterans Administration to attack this tragic epidemic. As we draw down 
after nearly a decade of war, Secretary Panetta and Secretary Shinseki 
have committed their departments to not only improve how wars are 
conducted, but how we address the after-effects of post-traumatic 
stress disorder and other disabling injuries.
  In addition to veterans, we also see that a large portion of suicides 
are coming from within the LGBT community. LGBT youth are four times 
more likely to attempt suicide and when they are rejected by their 
families, eight times more likely. With statistics like these, it 
couldn't be clearer that there is a great need for assistance and 
support for LGBT youth, as many are often harassed, bullied and 
subjected to physical violence by their peers.
  These stories of harassment are becoming far too familiar. Take Tyler 
Clementi, a college freshman attending Rutgers University and an 
accomplished violinist. At the young age of 18, Tyler's privacy was 
invaded by his dorm roommate. Deciding that the ridicule was too much 
to bear, Tyler tragically cut his own life short.
  For many, solace has been found with the Trevor Project, a non-profit 
organization in Los Angeles dedicated to providing life-saving 
resources to young people in the LGBT community. I recently had the 
honor of meeting with Abbe Land, the Executive Director and CEO of the 
Trevor Project and witnessed first-hand how the organization handled 
phone calls from distressed youth from around the country on their 
around-the-clock suicide prevention lifeline. With over 30,000 calls 
each year to the Trevor project, their commitment to saving lives is 
unparalleled.
  The problem of suicide has no prejudice or political affiliation. 
Suicide touches each one of us and forever changes our lives. I am 
proud to honor the Trevor Project and the National Suicide Prevention 
Lifeline during Suicide Prevention Month as they work tirelessly to 
prevent the loss of our loved ones who are most in need of support.

                          ____________________