PRINTER'S NO. 1985
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
204
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY O'MARA, SANCHEZ, MADDEN, HOHENSTEIN, RABB,
SCHLOSSBERG, CIRESI, FLEMING, GALLOWAY, D. WILLIAMS, KINSEY,
DELLOSO, ROZZI, CERRATO, STURLA, McNEILL, SCOTT, SCHWEYER,
KAZEEM, GUENST, STRUZZI, FLICK, SHUSTERMAN, MARKOSEK, KHAN,
OTTEN, WEBSTER AND CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, SEPTEMBER 13, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, SEPTEMBER 13, 2023
A RESOLUTION
Encouraging Pennsylvanians to use sensitive language when
discussing suicide.
WHEREAS, Suicide is defined as someone taking his or her own
life with conscious intent by lethal means such as a firearm,
poisoning, suffocation or other self-injury; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 1,885 Pennsylvanians died by suicide
in 2021; and
WHEREAS, The national suicide rate increased by 36% between
2000 and 2021; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's suicide rate is 13.9 per 100,000
people; and
WHEREAS, Suicide is the eleventh leading cause of death in
Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Suicide is the second leading cause of death for
individuals from 15 to 24 years of age in Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Suicide is the third leading cause of death for
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individuals from 25 to 34 years of age in Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for
individuals from 35 to 44 years of age in Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Suicide is the fifth leading cause of death for
individuals from 45 to 54 years of age in Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Suicide is the ninth leading cause of death for
individuals 55 to 64 years of age in Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Suicide is the nineteenth leading cause of death for
individuals 65 years of age or older in Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, In 2021, nearly 60% more Pennsylvanians died by
suicide than by homicide; and
WHEREAS, Due to the stigma, it is suspected that suicide is
generally underreported; and
WHEREAS, Prevention, education, advocacy, public policy and
community support are keys to addressing suicide stigma; and
WHEREAS, The sensitive use of suicide-related language is
also essential to eliminating suicide stigma; and
WHEREAS, The term "committed suicide" implies a level of
criminality while "completed suicide" implies earlier attempts
when there may have been none; and
WHEREAS, Both terms perpetuate the stigma associated with
suicide and are strongly discouraged; and
WHEREAS, Using the word "successful" or "failed" to describe
suicide is also discouraged; and
WHEREAS, "Died by suicide" or "died of suicide" as well as
"suicide death" and "fatal suicide behavior" are recommended
language; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge residents of
this Commonwealth to utilize sensitive language that does not
perpetuate the stigma of suicide or imply criminality when
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reporting a death by suicide.
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