THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY BRUBAKER, ALLOWAY, FONTANA, O'PAKE, STOUT, DINNIMAN, ORIE, PILEGGI, FERLO, PIPPY, WASHINGTON, TARTAGLIONE, ERICKSON, GREENLEAF, WARD, STACK, LOGAN, D. WHITE, WILLIAMS AND BOSCOLA, MAY 26, 2010

INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MAY 26, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Designating the week of May 24 through 30, 2010, as "Aevidum,

Pennsylvania! Week" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Public and private schools across Pennsylvania are

devastated by suicide; and

WHEREAS, According to the United States Department of Health

and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Administration, 4,189 young people committed suicide in 2006,

making it the third-leading cause of death among people 15 to 24

years of age; and

WHEREAS, Depression is a treatable mental illness; and

WHEREAS, Students and teachers across this Commonwealth

should be aware of the warning signs of depression and suicide;

and

WHEREAS, Education about depression helps to shatter the

shame associated with mental illness; and

WHEREAS, Aevidum, Pennsylvania! was created to raise

awareness of the warning signs of depression and suicide for

students and staff at public and private schools in this

Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, The Aevidum organization was founded at Cocalico

High School after a student committed suicide in 2003; and

WHEREAS, Aevidum students work diligently on their mission

reaching thousands of students; and

WHEREAS, Aevidum has received prestigious awards from mental

health organizations and SADD; and

WHEREAS, Aevidum has partnered with the Minding Your Mind

Foundation and Dooligus, a band that composed a song called

"Aevidum" to further broaden the cause; and

WHEREAS, The message of Aevidum is being spread to provide

hope and assurance to those who are depressed and ultimately to

save lives; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the week of May 24

through 30, 2010, as "Aevidum, Pennsylvania! Week" in

Pennsylvania and urge all citizens to support the need for

awareness and education of the warning signs of depression and

suicide.