PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 193

PRINTER'S NO. 1982

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

No.

7

Session of

2015

INTRODUCED BY HUGHES, FONTANA, TEPLITZ, FARNESE, BREWSTER,

TARTAGLIONE, LEACH, SMITH, YUDICHAK, COSTA, VANCE, RAFFERTY

AND BROWNE, JANUARY 23, 2015

report to the Senate with its findings and recommendations.

WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is home to some of the finest

higher education institutions in the world; and

WHEREAS, Each year thousands of young men and women

matriculate at these colleges and universities to pursue a

higher education degree to prepare them for a future career; and

WHEREAS, Many of the young men and women who enroll in an

institution of higher education will face numerous issues, both

academic and nonacademic, associated with obtaining a college,

graduate or professional degree; and

WHEREAS, Increased stress among college students often leads

to depression, substance abuse or other behaviors and conditions

that may raise the risk of suicide, attempted suicide or

suicidal thoughts among students; and

WHEREAS, The stigma associated with seeking or receiving

mental health counseling or services often deters students from

communicating their thoughts and feelings and seeking

professional help; and

WHEREAS, According to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center,

suicide is the second leading cause of death among college-age

between 6.5 and 7.5 per 100,000 college students; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, the American College Health Association-

National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA), a nationwide

assessment of college students at two-year and four-year

institutions, found that approximately 30% of students reported

being "so depressed that it was difficult to function" in the

prior year. That same 2011 survey found that approximately 6% of

college students reported seriously considering suicide and 1%

reported attempting suicide in the prior year; and

WHEREAS, Student suicide unfortunately has touched a number

this Commonwealth and wishes to convene an advisory committee to

study the issue; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate direct the Joint State Government

Commission to establish an advisory committee of 25 members

consisting of higher education officials, public officials and

experts on the issue of student suicide in higher education. The

committee is balanced so that it encompasses a wide range of

backgrounds and viewpoints; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the advisory committee contain the following

individuals:

designee. The designee may be an officer or faculty member of

the university or an employee of the university, who provides

services to students through a university counseling center,

university health center or through university residency and

housing programs.

The designee may be an officer or faculty member of the

university or an employee of the university, who provides

services to students through a university counseling center,

university or an employee of the university, who provides

services to students through a university counseling center,

university health center or through university residency and

housing programs.

Education or his designee. The designee may be an officer of

the State System of Higher Education, a president, officer or

faculty member of a university within the State System of

Higher Education or an employee of a university within the

State System of Higher Education, who provides services to

recommendation of the Association of Independent Colleges and

Universities of Pennsylvania. Designees may be an officer or

faculty member of the university or an employee of the

university, who provides services to students through a

university counseling center, university health center or

through university residency and housing programs.

this Commonwealth selected by the Joint State Government

Commission upon the recommendation of the Pennsylvania

Commission for Community Colleges.

shall be enrolled at a university within the State System of

Higher Education and one student shall be enrolled in an

independent college or university within this Commonwealth.

Welfare's Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse

Services, selected by the Secretary of Public Welfare.

issue of suicide, physical, behavioral or mental health, or

RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, working

with the advisory committee, conduct a thorough and

comprehensive analysis of student suicide in higher education,

including graduate and professional schools, the issues set

forth in this resolution and other related issues as determined

by the commission; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, working

with the advisory committee, review the following to identify

the best practices to address the issue of student suicide, its

causes and effective suicide prevention strategies and to

higher education in this Commonwealth and other states.

RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission

establish a process by which interested members of the public

can make suggestions and have input; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the final report include recommendations to

implement necessary changes in State statutes, practices,

policies and procedures relating to student suicide, including

measures to reduce the incidences of student suicide, and to

develop awareness, education and other strategies to address

issues relating to student suicide in higher education; and be

it further