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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 15, 2022 03:16 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Jennifer O'Mara |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Sensitive Language Related to Suicide- (Former HR 122) |
| Suicide is the 13th leading cause of death in Pennsylvania. While, thankfully, our state’s suicide rates have declined over the last few years, nearly 1,700 Pennsylvanians died by suicide in 2020. During the previous year, suicide claimed the lives of more than six times as many people than drunk driving accidents. However, these numbers may underestimate the true loss of life. Due to the stigma associated with suicide, many experts believe that suicide is underreported. In order to reduce the stigma as well as to reduce the rates of suicide, it is important to use sensitive language when discussing suicides. For this reason, I will be introducing a resolution to urge the use of terms such as “died by suicide” and “fatal suicide behavior” instead of terms such as “committed suicide,” and “completed suicide,” and discouraging the use of the words “successful” or “failed” when describing suicide attempts. Please join me in reducing the stigma associated with suicide as we work to save our loved ones’ lives. |
Introduced as HR204