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Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=15941
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House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: December 16, 2014 11:32 AM
From: Representative William F. Adolph, Jr.
To: All House members
Subject: Suicide Prevention Legislation
 
A family in my district suffered a horrific tragedy when they lost their adult son to suicide. I have been working with them on legislation to help prevent other families from having to endure such a tragedy. I hope you will consider co-sponsoring the proposed legislation.

As a result of working with the Adler family, I will be introducing legislation that will require the State Board of Psychology and the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors to have at least one hour of continuing education in the assessment, treatment and management of suicide. These professionals are on the front lines of battling this problem and we must make sure they have the skills and knowledge to recognize the warning signs of suicide and be able to intervene. This legislation will not increase the amount of continuing education, rather it only requires that a portion of the current requirement of continuing education hours are comprised of suicide prevention training.

The legislation, The Matt Adler Suicide Prevention Continuing Education Act, was named for Matt Adler, a 42 year old husband and father who was battling severe depression and an anxiety disorder. After Matt struggled with these diseases for many years, he tragically took his life in February of 2011. Many believe that Matt may still be with us today if early detection and experienced care in the treatment of suicidal warning signs were available to him.

In today’s world suicide is becoming all too prevalent. There are many reasons for this tragic outcome, but one thing is clear- by recognizing and treating those at risk early, we can start to help lower the number of loved ones who are lost to suicide each year. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, suicide takes nearly 40,000 Americans every year and is the tenth leading cause of death for all ages in the United States. There is an estimated 11 attempted suicides that occur per every suicide death. Many of those who attempt suicide never seek professional care. Often times those at risk don’t even realize that they are at risk.

Please join me in cosponsoring this legislation to help turn the tide on suicide rates.



Introduced as HB64