37 per 100,000, and since 2001, the age-adjusted rate of suicide
among veteran males has increased by 30.5%; and
WHEREAS, Among veteran females, the largest number of lives
lost to suicide occurs in middle-aged females 40 to 59 years of
age, but the highest rate occurs among the youngest female
veterans 18 to 29 years of age; and
WHEREAS, In 2014, the rate of suicide among veteran females
was 18.9 per 100,000, and since 2001, the age-adjusted rate of
suicide among veteran females has dramatically increased by
85.2%; and
WHEREAS, After adjusting for differences in age and gender,
risk for suicide was 21% higher among veterans when compared
with civilian adults; and
WHEREAS, Officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs have
responded to the veteran suicide crisis by boosting the
department's mental health personnel and suicide hotline staff
in recent years; and
WHEREAS, Each Veterans' Administration facility has been
asked to commit to "Be There" for veterans through a number of
enhanced methods, including a "no wrong door" philosophy for
suicide prevention to ensure that every Veterans' Administration
employee assists veterans in need and establishes buddy systems
so veterans have someone to reach out to when needed; and
WHEREAS, Communities, peers, close associates and the media
are critical in preventing death by suicide; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of September
2017 as "Veteran Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate urge civilians to help prevent
veteran suicide by learning about the warning signs of
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