Sep. 20, 2016
HARRISBURG – Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) announced today that his House resolution designating September 2016 as Suicide Prevention Month in Pennsylvania passed the House with unanimous support.
House Resolution 968 aims to raise awareness that suicide is preventable, improve education about suicide, spread information about suicide awareness and decrease stigmatization regarding suicide.
Suicide is a major preventable cause of premature death which is influenced by psychosocial, cultural and environmental risk factors that can be prevented through worldwide responses that address these main risk factors. There is strong evidence indicating that adequate prevention strategies can reduce suicide rates.
According to the World Health Organization, nearly 3000 people, on average, die by suicide daily. Over 1,300 Pennsylvania lives are taken by suicide annually. For every person who dies of suicide, 20 or more may attempt to end their lives.
“We cannot stay silent about the tragedy of suicide,” Benninghoff said. “Speaking out, raising awareness, eliminating the stigma and promoting mental wellness could be enough to save a life, and every life is worth saving.”
Earlier this month, Benninghoff presented a copy of House Resolution 968 to Marisa Vicere, co-chair of the Centre County Suicide Prevention Task Force and president of the Jana Marie Foundation, at the Centre County Courthouse. The Centre County Commissioners and the state Senate have also designated September 2016 as Suicide Prevention Month.
Representative Kerry Benninghoff
House Majority Policy Committee Chairman
171st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Morgan Wagner
717.260.6281
mwagner@pahousegop.com
KerryBenninghoff.com /
Facebook.com/RepBenninghoff