Public Act 101-0331

SB1425 Enrolled LRB101 07367 CPF 52407 b

AN ACT concerning health.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,

represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Department of Public Health Powers and

Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is

amended by adding Section 2310-455 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2310/2310-455 new)

Sec. 2310-455. Suicide prevention. Subject to

appropriation, the Department shall implement activities

associated with the Suicide Prevention, Education, and

Treatment Act, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) Coordinating suicide prevention, intervention, and

postvention programs, services, and efforts statewide.

(2) Developing and submitting proposals for funding

from federal agencies or other sources of funding to

promote suicide prevention and coordinate activities.

(3) With input from the Illinois Suicide Prevention

Alliance, preparing the Illinois Suicide Prevention

Strategic Plan required under Section 15 of the Suicide

Prevention, Education, and Treatment Act and coordinating

the activities necessary to implement the recommendations

in that Plan.

(4) With input from the Illinois Suicide Prevention

Alliance, providing to the Governor and General Assembly

the annual report required under Section 13 of the Suicide

Prevention, Education, and Treatment Act.

(5) Providing technical support for the activities of

the Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance.

Section 10. The Suicide Prevention, Education, and

Treatment Act is amended by changing Sections 5, 13, 15, 20,

and 30 as follows:

(410 ILCS 53/5)

Sec. 5. Legislative findings. The General Assembly makes

the following findings:

(1) 1,474 Illinoisans lost their lives to suicide in

2017. During 2016, suicide was the eleventh leading cause

of death in Illinois, causing more deaths than homicide,

motor vehicle accidents, accidental falls, and numerous

prevalent diseases, including liver disease, hypertension,

influenza/pneumonia, Parkinson's disease, and HIV. Suicide

was the third leading cause of death of ages 15 to 34 and

the fourth leading cause of death of ages 35 to 54. Those

living outside of urban areas are particularly at risk for

suicide, with a rate that is 50% higher than those living

in urban areas.

(2) For every person who dies by suicide, more than 30

others attempt suicide.

(3) Each suicide attempt and death impacts countless

other individuals. Family members, friends, co-workers,

and others in the community all suffer the long-lasting

consequences of suicidal behaviors.

(4) Suicide attempts and deaths by suicide have an

economic impact on Illinois. The National Center for Injury

Prevention and Control estimates that in 2010 each suicide

death in Illinois resulted in $1,181,549 in medical costs

and work loss costs. It also estimated that each

hospitalization for self-harm resulted in $31,019 in

medical costs and work loss costs and each emergency room

visit for self-harm resulted in $4,546 in medical costs and

work loss costs.

(5) In 2004, the Illinois General Assembly passed the

Suicide Prevention, Education, and Treatment Act (Public

Act 93-907), which required the Illinois Department of

Public Health to establish the Illinois Suicide Prevention

Strategic Planning Committee to develop the Illinois

Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan. That law required the

use of the 2002 United States Surgeon General's National

Suicide Prevention Strategy as a model for the Plan. Public

Act 95-109 changed the name of the committee to the

Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance. The Illinois Suicide

Prevention Strategic Plan was submitted in 2007 and updated

in 2018.

(6) In 2004, there were 1,028 suicide deaths in

Illinois, which the Centers for Disease Control reports was

an age-adjusted rate of 8.11 deaths per 100,000. The

Centers for Disease Control reports that the 1,474 suicide

deaths in 2017 result in an age-adjusted rate of 11.19

deaths per 100,000. Thus, since the enactment of Public Act

93-907, the rate of suicides in Illinois has risen by 38%.

(7) Since the enactment of Public Act 93-907, there

have been numerous developments in suicide prevention,

including the issuance of the 2012 National Strategy for

Suicide Prevention by the United States Surgeon General and

the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention

containing new strategies and recommended activities for

local governmental bodies.

(8) Despite the obvious impact of suicide on Illinois

citizens, Illinois has devoted minimal resources to its

prevention. There is no full-time coordinator or director

of suicide prevention activities in the State. Moreover,

the Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan is still modeled on

the now obsolete 2002 National Suicide Prevention

Strategy.

(9) It is necessary to revise the Suicide Prevention

Strategic Plan to reflect the most current National Suicide

Prevention Strategy as well as current research and

experience into the prevention of suicide.

(10) One of the goals adopted in the 2012 National

Strategy for Suicide Prevention is to promote suicide

prevention as a core component of health care services so

there is an active engagement of health and social

services, as well as the coordination of care across

multiple settings, thereby ensuring continuity of care and

promoting patient safety.

(11) Integrating suicide prevention into behavioral

and physical health care services can save lives. National

data indicate that: over 30% of individuals are receiving

mental health care at the time of their deaths by suicide;

45% have seen their primary care physicians within one

month of their deaths; and 25% of those who die of suicide

visited an emergency department in the year prior to their

deaths.

(12) The Zero Suicide model is a part of the National

Strategy for Suicide Prevention, a priority of the National

Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, and a project of

the Suicide Prevention Resource Center that implements the

goal of making suicide prevention a core component of

health care services.

(13) The Zero Suicide model is built on the

foundational belief and aspirational goal that suicide

deaths of individuals who are under the care of our health

care systems are preventable with the adoption of

comprehensive training, patient engagement, transition,

and quality improvement.

(14) Health care systems, including mental and

behavioral health systems and hospitals, that have

implemented the Zero Suicide model have noted significant

reductions in suicide deaths for patients within their

care.

(15) The Suicide Prevention Resource Center

facilitates adoption of the Zero Suicide model by providing

comprehensive information, resources, and tools for its

implementation.

(1) The Surgeon General of the United States has

described suicide prevention as a serious public health

priority and has called upon each state to develop a

statewide comprehensive suicide prevention strategy using

a public health approach. Suicide now ranks 10th among

causes of death, nationally.

(2) In 1998, 1,064 Illinoisans lost their lives to

suicide, an average of 3 Illinois residents per day. It is

estimated that there are between 21,000 and 35,000 suicide

attempts in Illinois every year. Three and one-half percent

of all suicides in the nation take place in Illinois.

(3) Among older adults, suicide rates are increasing,

making suicide the leading fatal injury among the elderly

population in Illinois. As the proportion of Illinois'

population age 75 and older increases, the number of

suicides among persons in this age group will also

increase, unless an effective suicide prevention strategy

is implemented.

(4) Adolescents are far more likely to attempt suicide

than other age groups in Illinois. The data indicates that

there are 100 attempts for every adolescent suicide

completed. In 1998, 156 Illinois youths died by suicide,

between the ages of 15 through 24. Using this estimate,

there were likely more than 15,500 suicide attempts made by

Illinois adolescents or approximately 50% of all estimated

suicide attempts that occurred in Illinois were made by

adolescents.

(5) Homicide and suicide rank as the second and third

leading causes of death in Illinois for youth,

respectively. Both are preventable. While the death rates

for unintentional injuries decreased by more than 35%

between 1979 and 1996, the death rates for homicide and

suicide increased for youth. Evidence is growing in terms

of the links between suicide and other forms of violence.

This provides compelling reasons for broadening the

State's scope in identifying risk factors for self-harmful

behavior. The number of estimated youth suicide attempts

and the growing concerns of youth violence can best be

addressed through the implementation of successful

gatekeeper-training programs to identify and refer youth

at risk for self-harmful behavior.

(6) The American Association of Suicidology

conservatively estimates that the lives of at least 6

persons related to or connected to individuals who attempt

or complete suicide are impacted. Using these estimates, in

1998, more than 6,000 Illinoisans struggled to cope with

the impact of suicide.

(7) Decreases in alcohol and other drug abuse, as well

as decreases in access to lethal means, significantly

reduce the number of suicides.

(8) Suicide attempts are expected to be higher than

reported because attempts not requiring medical attention

are not required to be reported. The underreporting of

suicide completion is also likely because suicide

classification involves conclusions regarding the intent

of the deceased. The stigma associated with suicide is also

likely to contribute to underreporting. Without

interagency collaboration and support for proven,

community-based, culturally-competent suicide prevention

and intervention programs, suicides are likely to rise.

(9) Emerging data on rates of suicide based on gender,

ethnicity, age, and geographic areas demand a new strategy

that responds to the needs of a diverse population.

(10) According to Children's Safety Network Economics

Insurance, the cost of youth suicide acts by persons in

Illinois who are under 21 years of age totals $539,000,000,

including medical costs, future earnings lost, and a

measure of quality of life.

(11) Suicide is the second leading cause of death in

Illinois for persons between the ages of 15 and 24.

(12) In 1998, there were 1,116 homicides in Illinois,

which outnumbered suicides by only 52. Yet, so far, only

homicide has received funding, programs, and media

attention.

(13) According to the 1999 national report on

statistics for suicide of the American Association of

Suicidology, categories of unintentional injury, motor

vehicle deaths, and all other deaths include many reported

and unsubstantiated suicides that are not identified

correctly because of poor investigatory techniques,

unsophisticated inquest jurors, and stigmas that cause

families to cover up evidence.

(14) Programs for HIV infectious diseases are very well

funded even though, in Illinois, HIV deaths number 30% less

than suicide deaths.

(Source: P.A. 93-907, eff. 8-11-04.)

(410 ILCS 53/13)

Sec. 13. Duration; report. The Department, in consultation

with All projects set forth in this Act must be at least 3

years in duration, and the Department and related contracts as

well as the Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance, must submit

an annual report annually to the Governor and General Assembly

on the effectiveness of the these activities and programs

undertaken under the Plan that includes any recommendations for

modification to Illinois law to enhance the effectiveness of

the Plan.

(Source: P.A. 95-109, eff. 1-1-08.)

(410 ILCS 53/15)

Sec. 15. Suicide Prevention Alliance.

(a) The Alliance is created as the official grassroots

creator, planner, monitor, and advocate for the Illinois

Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan. No later than one year after

the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General

Assembly Act, the Alliance shall review, finalize, and submit

to the Governor and the General Assembly the 2020 Illinois

Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan and appropriate processes

and outcome objectives for 10 overriding recommendations and a

timeline for reaching these objectives.

(b) The Plan shall include: The Alliance shall use the

United States Surgeon General's National Suicide Prevention

Strategy as a model for the Plan.

(1) recommendations from the most current National

Suicide Prevention Strategy;

(2) current research and experience into the

prevention of suicide;

(3) measures to encourage and assist health care

systems and primary care providers to include suicide

prevention as a core component of their services,

including, but not limited to, implementing the Zero

Suicide model; and

(4) additional elements as determined appropriate by

the Alliance.

The Alliance shall review the statutorily prescribed

missions of major State mental health, health, aging, and

school mental health programs and recommend, as necessary and

appropriate, statutory changes to include suicide prevention

in the missions and procedures of those programs. The Alliance

shall prepare a report of that review, including its

recommendations, and shall submit the report to the Department

for inclusion in its annual report to the Governor and the

General Assembly by December 31, 2004.

(c) The Director of Public Health shall appoint the members

of the Alliance. The membership of the Alliance shall include,

without limitation, representatives of statewide organizations

and other agencies that focus on the prevention of suicide and

the improvement of mental health treatment or that provide

suicide prevention or survivor support services. Other

disciplines that shall be considered for membership on the

Alliance include law enforcement, first responders,

faith-based community leaders, universities, and survivors of

suicide (families and friends who have lost persons to suicide)

as well as consumers of services of these agencies and

organizations.

(d) The Alliance shall meet at least 4 times a year, and

more as deemed necessary, in various sites statewide in order

to foster as much participation as possible. The Alliance, a

steering committee, and core members of the full committee

shall monitor and guide the definition and direction of the

goals of the full Alliance, shall review and approve

productions of the plan, and shall meet before the full

Alliance meetings.

(Source: P.A. 95-109, eff. 1-1-08.)

(410 ILCS 53/20)

Sec. 20. General awareness and screening program.

(a) The Department shall provide technical assistance for

the work of the Alliance and the production of the Plan and

shall distribute general information and screening tools for

suicide prevention to the general public through local public

health departments throughout the State. These materials shall

be distributed to agencies, schools, hospitals, churches,

places of employment, and all related professional caregivers

to educate all citizens about warning signs and interventions

that all persons can do to stop the suicidal cycle.

(b) This program shall include, without limitation, all of

the following:

(1) Educational programs about warning signs and how to

help suicidal individuals.

(2) Educational presentations about suicide risk and

how to help at-risk people in special populations and with

bilingual support to special cultures.

(3) The designation of an annual suicide awareness week

or month to include a public awareness campaign on suicide.

(4) An annual A statewide suicide prevention

conference before November of 2004.

(5) An Illinois Suicide Prevention Speaker's Bureau.

(6) A program to educate the media regarding the

guidelines developed by the American Association for

Suicidology for coverage of suicides and to encourage media

cooperation in adopting these guidelines in reporting

suicides.

(7) Increased training opportunities for volunteers,

professionals, and other caregivers to develop specific

skills for assessing suicide risk and intervening to

prevent suicide.

(Source: P.A. 95-109, eff. 1-1-08.)

(410 ILCS 53/30)

Sec. 30. Suicide prevention pilot programs.

(a) The Department shall establish, when funds are

appropriated, programs, including, but not limited to, pilot

and demonstration programs, that are consistent with the Plan.

up to 5 pilot programs that provide training and direct service

programs relating to youth, elderly, special populations,

high-risk populations, and professional caregivers. The

purpose of these pilot programs is to demonstrate and evaluate

the effectiveness of the projects set forth in this Act in the

communities in which they are offered. The pilot programs shall

be operational for at least 2 years of the 3-year requirement

set forth in Section 13.

(b) The Director of Public Health is encouraged to ensure

that the pilot programs include the following prevention

strategies:

(1) school gatekeeper and faculty training;

(2) community gatekeeper training;

(3) general community suicide prevention education;

(4) health providers and physician training and

consultation about high-risk cases;

(5) depression, anxiety, and suicide screening

programs;

(6) peer support youth and older adult programs;

(7) the enhancement of 24-hour crisis centers,

hotlines, and person-to-person calling trees;

(8) means restriction advocacy and collaboration; and

(9) intervening and supporting after a suicide.

(b) (c) The funds appropriated for purposes of this Section

shall be allocated by the Department on a competitive,

grant-submission basis, which shall include consideration of

different rates of risk of suicide based on age, ethnicity,

gender, prevalence of mental health disorders, different rates

of suicide based on geographic areas in Illinois, and the

services and curriculum offered to fit these needs by the

applying agency.

(d) The Department and Alliance shall prepare a report as

to the effectiveness of the demonstration projects established

pursuant to this Section and submit that report no later than 6

months after the projects are completed to the Governor and

General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 95-109, eff. 1-1-08.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon

becoming law.