LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim May 6, 2015, as Suicide Prevention Day in New York State

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious issues that
affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 6, 2015, as Suicide Prevention
Day in New York State, in conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day;
and
WHEREAS, A national movement to prevent suicide is essential to
protect the lives of New Yorkers, and education and awareness will
empower loved ones and health professionals to stand up and fight
suicide; and
WHEREAS, Between 2010-2014, suicide rates rose; nearly 30,000 Ameri-
cans commit suicide every year, and on average, one person commits
suicide every 16.2 minutes; and
WHEREAS, Suicide is the 10th leading cause of all deaths in the United
States, the third leading cause of death among individuals between the
ages of 15 to 24, and the second leading cause of death among college
students; and
WHEREAS, 50 percent of people who die by suicide use a firearm, and
guns stored in the house are used for suicide 40 times more often than
for self-protection; and
WHEREAS, In 2013, 494,169 people visited a hospital for injuries due
to self-harming behavior, suggesting that approximately 12 people harm
themselves for every reported death by suicide; and
WHEREAS, Those who try to harm themselves may exhibit one or more
warning signs, such as talking about it or exhibiting a change in behav-
ior; and
WHEREAS, There are several factors which may influence someone to try
and take their own life, including mental health, depression, bipolar
disorder, anxiety disorder, and substance abuse; environmental, exposure
to another's suicide, prolonged stress, and bullying; and historical,
previous suicide attempts, and family inclination towards suicide; and
WHEREAS, Suicide also makes a huge impact on the Nation's economy; in
2010, the economic cost of suicide death in the United States was esti-
mated to be more than $44 billion annually; and
WHEREAS, In addition, an estimated $2 billion was spent on medical
care for those with non-fatal injuries due to self-harm, and another
$4.3 billion is spent for indirect costs, such as lost wages and produc-
tivity; and
WHEREAS, The stigma surrounding suicide and mental illness too often
impedes an individual's ability to seek treatment, share their personal
story, grieve appropriately for the loss of a loved one, and move
through a journey of healing and recovery; and
WHEREAS, A great many suicides are preventable; thousands of advo-
cates, caregivers, consumers and professionals work tirelessly to raise
awareness, reduce stigma, educate New Yorkers and influence public poli-
cy such that mental health services are readily available and accessi-
ble, and the state's capacity to prevent the tragedy of suicide among
its populous is strengthened; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 6, 2015, as Suicide
Prevention Day in New York State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.