Bill Text: TX HCR137 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Designating September as Suicide Prevention Month for a 10-year period beginning in 2019.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2019-05-28 - Signed by the Governor [HCR137 Detail]
Download: Texas-2019-HCR137-Enrolled.html
| H.C.R. No. 137 | ||
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| WHEREAS, The observance of National Suicide Prevention Month | ||
| in September provides a fitting opportunity to heighten | ||
| understanding of this critical public health issue; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Each year in the United States, more than twice as | ||
| many people die from suicide as from homicide, and suicide has | ||
| become an issue of ever more pressing concern in recent decades; | ||
| from 1999 to 2016, rates of suicide rose in nearly every state, and | ||
| Texas experienced an 18.9 percent increase during that time period; | ||
| and | ||
| WHEREAS, Although suicide is difficult to predict, it is | ||
| often preceded by warning signs, and sudden changes in mood and | ||
| behavior can indicate that an individual may need help; the concern | ||
| expressed by friends, parents, and other family members can make a | ||
| tremendous difference to someone who is struggling with suicidal | ||
| thoughts; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Evidence shows that suicides can be reduced by | ||
| teaching coping and problem-solving skills; many individuals can | ||
| also find relief from depression and other emotional pressures | ||
| through therapy, and it is vital that the public be made aware of | ||
| available treatment options, including psychological counseling; | ||
| and | ||
| WHEREAS, Education initiatives can be especially helpful for | ||
| young people; suicide is the second leading cause of death among | ||
| primary and secondary students ages 10 and older, and a concerted | ||
| outreach effort in public schools can be an effective means of | ||
| engaging students, their families, and the wider community; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Suicide exacts a heavy toll on our state, leaving | ||
| far too many people to cope with the sudden loss of someone they | ||
| hold dear, and a greater awareness of suicide warning signs and | ||
| intervention strategies can play an important part in reducing the | ||
| number of these senseless tragedies; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas | ||
| hereby designate September as Suicide Prevention Month; and, be it | ||
| further | ||
| RESOLVED, That in accordance with the provisions of Section | ||
| 391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in effect | ||
| until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally | ||
| passed by the legislature. | ||
| Hunter | ||
| ______________________________ | ______________________________ | |
| President of the Senate | Speaker of the House | |
| I certify that H.C.R. No. 137 was adopted by the House on May | ||
| 3, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 140, Nays 2, 2 present, not | ||
| voting. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
| I certify that H.C.R. No. 137 was adopted by the Senate on May | ||
| 15, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Secretary of the Senate | ||
| APPROVED: __________________ | ||
| Date | ||
| __________________ | ||
| Governor | ||
