SCR 65: Military and Veteran Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.
- Session Year: 2017-2018
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2017-09-22
This measure would proclaim September 3, 2017, to September 9, 2017, inclusive, as Military and Veteran Suicide Prevention Awareness Week in California.
This measure would proclaim September 3, 2017, to September 9, 2017, inclusive, as Military and Veteran Suicide Prevention Awareness Week in California.
This measure would proclaim September 24, 2017, to September 30, 2017, 3, 2017, to September 9, 2017, inclusive, as Military and Veteran Suicide Prevention Awareness Week in California.
This measure would proclaim September 24, 2017, to September 30, 2017, inclusive, as Military and Veteran Suicide Prevention Awareness Week in California.
WHEREAS, Suicide is a serious and tragic public health problem that can be prevented through increased awareness, resources, and proper treatment; and
WHEREAS, Suicide affects all Americans, but data shows that active duty service members and veterans die by suicide at much higher rates than the civilian population; and
WHEREAS, In the United States Department of Defenses (USDOD) Quarterly Suicide Report for the fourth quarter of 2016, the military services reported the following for all of 2016: 275 deaths by suicide for active military members; 203 deaths by suicide for military reserve members; and 123 deaths by suicide for members of the National Guard; and
WHEREAS, The Defense Suicide Prevention Office in the USDOD is working diligently to reduce these staggering numbers through an integrated, holistic approach to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention utilizing a range of medical and nonmedical resources; and
WHEREAS, In an effort to prevent suicides, the USDOD has recently launched a program entitled Be There, offering confidential peer coaching to active duty service members, including National Guard active and reserve members and their families, using 24-hours-per-day, 7-days-per-week chat, telephone, and text options. The program is staffed by peer coaches who are veteran service members and family members of veterans and aims to provide support for everyday problem solving, such as career and general life challenges; and
WHEREAS, We must recognize that this tragic epidemic is taking the lives of those who have most heavily borne the burden of protecting and serving their country, in the past and present. In 2014, an average of 20 veterans died by suicide each day, and six of the 20 were users of United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) services; and
WHEREAS, In 2014, although veterans constituted just 8.5 percent of the United States population, they accounted for 18 percent of all deaths by suicide among United States adults; and
WHEREAS, There is continued evidence of a heightened tendency toward suicide among middle-aged and older adult veterans. In 2014, approximately 65 percent of all veterans who died by suicide were 50 years of age or older; and
WHEREAS, In 2014, after adjusting for differences in age and gender, risk of suicide was 21 percent higher among veterans when compared to United States civilian adults. For male veterans, the risk of suicide was 18 percent higher when compared to United States civilian adult males. For female veterans, risk of suicide was 2.4 times higher when compared to United States civilian adult females; and
WHEREAS, From 2001 to 2014, inclusive, the age-adjusted rate of suicide among United States civilian adults increased by 23 percent. In that same period, the suicide rate among United States veterans increased by 32.2 percent; and
WHEREAS, From 2001 to 2014, inclusive, the age-adjusted rate of suicide among United States civilian adult males increased by 0.3 percent. In that same period, the suicide rate among United States veteran males increased by 30.5 percent; and
WHEREAS, From 2001 to 2014, inclusive, the age-adjusted rate of suicide among United States civilian adult females increased by 39.7 percent. In that same period, the suicide rate among United States veteran females increased by 85.2 percent; and
WHEREAS, The VA has undertaken several measures to prevent suicide among veterans, including a 24-hours-per-day, seven-days-per-week veterans crisis telephone hotline, using predictive analytics to identify those at risk for suicide and providing early intervention services, bolstering mental health services for female veterans, expanding telemental health services, and proactively reaching out to veterans needing care; and
WHEREAS, This resolution endeavors to promote awareness of the problem of suicide and the particular epidemic facing the military population, and encourages active duty service members, veterans, service providers, advocates, and the people of the State of California to work together to continue to educate the public on how to recognize the warning signs and improve the outreach to, and treatment of, individuals at risk for suicide; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims September 3, 2017, to September 9, 2017, inclusive, as Military and Veteran Suicide Prevention Awareness Week in California; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
WHEREAS, Suicide is a serious and tragic public health problem that can be prevented through increased awareness, resources, and proper treatment; and
WHEREAS, Suicide affects all Americans, but data shows that active duty service members and veterans die by suicide at much higher rates than the civilian population; and
WHEREAS, In the United States Department of Defenses (USDOD) Quarterly Suicide Report for the fourth quarter of 2016, the military services reported the following for all of 2016: 275 deaths by suicide for active military members; 203 deaths by suicide for military reserve members; and 123 deaths by suicide for members of the National Guard; and
WHEREAS, The Defense Suicide Prevention Office in the USDOD is working diligently to reduce these staggering numbers through an integrated, holistic approach to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention utilizing a range of medical and nonmedical resources; and
WHEREAS, In an effort to prevent suicides, the USDOD has recently launched a program entitled Be There, offering confidential peer coaching to active duty service members, including National Guard active and reserve members and their families, using 24-hours-per-day, 7-days-per-week chat, telephone, and text options. The program is staffed by peer coaches who are veteran service members and family members of veterans and aims to provide support for everyday problem solving, such as career and general life challenges; and
WHEREAS, We must recognize that this tragic epidemic is taking the lives of those who have most heavily borne the burden of protecting and serving their country, in the past and present. In 2014, an average of 20 veterans died by suicide each day, and six of the 20 were users of United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) services; and
WHEREAS, In 2014, although veterans constituted just 8.5 percent of the United States population, they accounted for 18 percent of all deaths by suicide among United States adults; and
WHEREAS, There is continued evidence of a heightened tendency toward suicide among middle-aged and older adult veterans. In 2014, approximately 65 percent of all veterans who died by suicide were 50 years of age or older; and
WHEREAS, In 2014, after adjusting for differences in age and gender, risk of suicide was 21 percent higher among veterans when compared to United States civilian adults. For male veterans, the risk of suicide was 18 percent higher when compared to United States civilian adult males. For female veterans, risk of suicide was 2.4 times higher when compared to United States civilian adult females; and
WHEREAS, From 2001 to 2014, inclusive, the age-adjusted rate of suicide among United States civilian adults increased by 23 percent. In that same period, the suicide rate among United States veterans increased by 32.2 percent; and
WHEREAS, From 2001 to 2014, inclusive, the age-adjusted rate of suicide among United States civilian adult males increased by 0.3 percent. In that same period, the suicide rate among United States veteran males increased by 30.5 percent; and
WHEREAS, From 2001 to 2014, inclusive, the age-adjusted rate of suicide among United States civilian adult females increased by 39.7 percent. In that same period, the suicide rate among United States veteran females increased by 85.2 percent; and
WHEREAS, The VA has undertaken several measures to prevent suicide among veterans, including a 24-hours-per-day, seven-days-per-week veterans crisis telephone hotline, using predictive analytics to identify those at risk for suicide and providing early intervention services, bolstering mental health services for female veterans, expanding telemental health services, and proactively reaching out to veterans needing care; and
WHEREAS, This resolution endeavors to promote awareness of the problem of suicide and the particular epidemic facing the military population, and encourages active duty service members, veterans, service providers, advocates, and the people of the State of California to work together to continue to educate the public on how to recognize the warning signs and improve the outreach to, and treatment of, individuals at risk for suicide; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims September 3, 2017, to September 9, 2017, inclusive, as Military and Veteran Suicide Prevention Awareness Week in California; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
WHEREAS, Suicide is a serious and tragic public health problem that can be prevented through increased awareness, resources, and proper treatment; and
WHEREAS, Suicide affects all Americans, but data shows that active duty service members and veterans commit die by suicide at much higher rates than the civilian population; and
WHEREAS, In the United States Department of Defenses (USDOD) Quarterly Suicide Report for the fourth quarter of 2016, the military services reported the following for all of 2016: 275 deaths by suicide for active military members; 203 deaths by suicide for military reserve members; and 123 deaths by suicide for members of the National Guard; and
WHEREAS, The Defense Suicide Prevention Office in the USDOD is working diligently to reduce these staggering numbers through an integrated, holistic approach to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention utilizing a range of medical and nonmedical resources; and
WHEREAS, In an effort to prevent suicides, the USDOD has recently launched a program entitled Be There, offering confidential peer coaching to active duty service members, including National Guard active and reserve members and their families, using 24-hours-per-day, 7-days-per-week chat, telephone, and text options. The program is staffed by peer coaches who are veteran service members and family members of veterans and aims to provide support for everyday problem solving, such as career and general life challenges; and
WHEREAS, We must recognize that this tragic epidemic is taking the lives of those who have most heavily borne the burden of protecting and serving their country, in the past and present. In 2014, an average of 20 veterans died from by suicide each day, and six of the 20 were users of United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) services; and
WHEREAS, In 2014, although veterans constituted just 8.5 percent of the United States population, they accounted for 18 percent of all deaths from by suicide among United States adults; and
WHEREAS, There is continued evidence of a heightened tendency toward suicide among middled-age middle-aged and older adult veterans. In 2014, approximately 65 percent of all veterans who died from by suicide were 50 years of age or older; and
WHEREAS, In 2014, after adjusting for differences in age and gender, risk of suicide was 21 percent higher among veterans when compared to United States civilian adults. For male veterans, the risk of suicide was 18 percent higher when compared to United States civilian adult males. For female veterans, risk of suicide was 2.4 times higher when compared to United States civilian adult females; and
WHEREAS, From 2001 to 2014, inclusive, the age-adjusted rate of suicide among United States civilian adults increased by 23 percent. In that same period, the suicide rate among United States veterans increased by 32.2 percent; and
WHEREAS, From 2001 to 2014, inclusive, the age-adjusted rate of suicide among United States civilian adult males increased by 0.3 percent. In that same period, the suicide rate among United States veteran males increased by 30.5 percent; and
WHEREAS, From 2001 to 2014, inclusive, the age-adjusted rate of suicide among United States civilian adult females increased by 39.7 percent. In that same period, the suicide rate among United States veteran females increased by 85.2 percent; and
WHEREAS, The VA has undertaken several measures to prevent suicide among veterans, including a 24-hours-per-day, seven-days-per-week veterans crisis telephone hotline, using predictive analytics to identify those at risk for suicide and providing early intervention services, bolstering mental health services for female veterans, expanding telemental health services, and proactively reaching out to veterans needing care; and
WHEREAS, This resolution endeavors to promote awareness of the problem of suicide and the particular epidemic facing the military population, and encourages active duty service members, veterans, service providers, advocates, and the people of the State of California to work together to continue to educate the public on how to recognize the warning signs and improve the outreach to, and treatment of, individuals at risk for suicide; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims September 24, 2017, to September 30, 2017, 3, 2017, to September 9, 2017, inclusive, as Military and Veteran Suicide Prevention Awareness Week in California; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
WHEREAS, Suicide is a serious and tragic public health problem that can be prevented through increased awareness, resources, and proper treatment; and
WHEREAS, Suicide affects all Americans, but data shows that active duty service members and veterans commit suicide at much higher rates than the civilian population; and
WHEREAS, In the United States Department of Defenses (USDOD) Quarterly Suicide Report for the fourth quarter of 2016, the military services reported the following for all of 2016: 275 deaths by suicide for active military members; 203 deaths by suicide for military reserve members; and 123 deaths by suicide for members of the National Guard; and
WHEREAS, The Defense Suicide Prevention Office in the USDOD is working diligently to reduce these staggering numbers through an integrated, holistic approach to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention utilizing a range of medical and nonmedical resources; and
WHEREAS, In an effort to prevent suicides, the USDOD has recently launched a program entitled Be There, offering confidential peer coaching to active duty service members, including National Guard active and reserve members and their families, using 24-hours-per-day, 7-days-per-week chat, telephone, and text options. The program is staffed by peer coaches who are veteran service members and family members of veterans and aims to provide support for everyday problem solving, such as career and general life challenges; and
WHEREAS, We must recognize that this tragic epidemic is taking the lives of those who have most heavily borne the burden of protecting and serving their country, in the past and present. In 2014, an average of 20 veterans died from suicide each day, and six of the 20 were users of United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) services; and
WHEREAS, In 2014, although veterans constituted just 8.5 percent of the United States population, they accounted for 18 percent of all deaths from suicide among United States adults; and
WHEREAS, There is continued evidence of a heightened tendency toward suicide among middled-age and older adult veterans. In 2014, approximately 65 percent of all veterans who died from suicide were 50 years of age or older; and
WHEREAS, In 2014, after adjusting for differences in age and gender, risk of suicide was 21 percent higher among veterans when compared to United States civilian adults. For male veterans, the risk of suicide was 18 percent higher when compared to United States civilian adult males. For female veterans, risk of suicide was 2.4 times higher when compared to United States civilian adult females; and
WHEREAS, From 2001 to 2014, inclusive, the age-adjusted rate of suicide among United States civilian adults increased by 23 percent. In that same period, the suicide rate among United States veterans increased by 32.2 percent; and
WHEREAS, From 2001 to 2014, inclusive, the age-adjusted rate of suicide among United States civilian adult males increased by 0.3 percent. In that same period, the suicide rate among United States veteran males increased by 30.5 percent; and
WHEREAS, From 2001 to 2014, inclusive, the age-adjusted rate of suicide among United States civilian adult females increased by 39.7 percent. In that same period, the suicide rate among United States veteran females increased by 85.2 percent; and
WHEREAS, The VA has undertaken several measures to prevent suicide among veterans, including a 24-hours-per-day, seven-days-per-week veterans crisis telephone hotline, using predictive analytics to identify those at risk for suicide and providing early intervention services, bolstering mental health services for female veterans, expanding telemental health services, and proactively reaching out to veterans needing care; and
WHEREAS, This resolution endeavors to promote awareness of the problem of suicide and the particular epidemic facing the military population, and encourages active duty service members, veterans, service providers, advocates, and the people of the State of California to work together to continue to educate the public on how to recognize the warning signs and improve the outreach to, and treatment of, individuals at risk for suicide; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims September 24, 2017, to September 30, 2017, inclusive, as Military and Veteran Suicide Prevention Awareness Week in California; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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Date
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Status
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|---|---|
| Sep 22, 2017 | Chaptered by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter 180, Statutes of 2017. |
| Sep 22, 2017 | Enrolled and filed with the Secretary of State at 10:30 a.m. |
| Sep 15, 2017 | In Senate. Ordered to engrossing and enrolling. |
| Sep 15, 2017 | Read. Adopted. Ordered to the Senate. |
| Sep 11, 2017 | Coauthors revised. |
| Sep 8, 2017 | Referred to Com. on RLS. |
| Sep 5, 2017 | In Assembly. Held at Desk. |
| Sep 5, 2017 | Read. Adopted. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.) Ordered to the Assembly. |
| Aug 23, 2017 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Aug 22, 2017 | Read third time and amended. |
| Jun 28, 2017 | From committee: Ordered to third reading. |
| Jun 20, 2017 | Introduced. Referred to Com. on RLS. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 11, 2017 | Be adopted. To third reading. | Assembly Standing Committee on Rules |
Passed |
|
| Sep 5, 2017 | Senate 3rd Reading SCR65 Newman et al. | Senate Floor |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
|
Organization
|
Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| American G.I Forum of California | ** Support | Sep 8, 2017 |
| American Legion-Department of California | ** Support | Sep 8, 2017 |
| AMVETS-Department of California | ** Support | Sep 8, 2017 |
| California Association Of County Veterans Service Officers | ** Support | Sep 8, 2017 |
| California State Commanders Veterans Council | ** Support | Sep 8, 2017 |
| Mental Health America of California | ** Support | Sep 8, 2017 |
| Steinberg Institute | ** Support | Sep 8, 2017 |
| Vietnam Veterans of America-California State Council | ** Support | Sep 8, 2017 |
SENATE THIRD READING
STR Bill Id:SCR 65
Author:(Newman)
As Amended Ver:August 22, 2017
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE: 40-0
Committee | Votes | Ayes | Noes |
Rules | 7-0 | Cooley, Cunningham, Cervantes, Friedman, Grayson, Salas, Waldron |
SUMMARY: Proclaims September 3, 2017, to September 9, 2017, inclusive, as Military and Veteran Suicide Prevention Awareness Week in California. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:
- Suicide affects all Americans, but data shows that active duty service members and veterans die by suicide at much higher rates than the civilian population.
- In the United States Department of Defense's (USDOD) "Quarterly Suicide Report" for the fourth quarter of 2016, the military services reported the following for all of 2016: 275 deaths by suicide for active military members; 203 deaths by suicide for military reserve members; and 123 deaths by suicide for members of the National Guard.
- The Defense Suicide Prevention Office in the USDOD is working diligently to reduce these staggering numbers through an integrated, holistic approach to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention utilizing a range of medical and nonmedical resources.
- In an effort to prevent suicides, the USDOD has recently launched a program entitled "Be There," offering confidential peer coaching to active duty service members, including National Guard active and reserve members and their families, using 24-hours-per-day, seven-days-per-week chat, telephone, and text options. The program is staffed by peer coaches who are veteran service members and family members of veterans and aims to provide support for everyday problem solving, such as career and general life challenges.
- We must recognize that this tragic epidemic is taking the lives of those who have most heavily borne the burden of protecting and serving their country, in the past and present. In 2014, an average of 20 veterans died by suicide each day, and six of the 20 were users of United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) services.
- The VA has undertaken several measures to prevent suicide among veterans, including a 24-hours-per-day, seven-days-per-week veterans crisis telephone hotline, using predictive analytics to identify those at risk for suicide and providing early intervention services, bolstering mental health services for female veterans, expanding telemental health services, and proactively reaching out to veterans needing care.
- This resolution endeavors to promote awareness of the problem of suicide and the particular epidemic facing the military population, and encourages active duty service members, veterans, service providers, advocates, and the people of the State of California to work together to continue to educate the public on how to recognize the warning signs and improve the outreach to, and treatment of, individuals at risk for suicide.
Analysis Prepared by: Nicole Willis / RLS. / (916) 319-2800 FN: 0002249
Date of Hearing: September 11, 2017
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON
, Chair
SBPCA Bill Id:
Author:() – As Ver:August 22, 2017
SENATE VOTE: 40-0
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY: Proclaims September 3, 2017, to September 9, 2017, inclusive, as Military and Veteran Suicide Prevention Awareness Week in California. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:
- Suicide affects all Americans, but data shows that active duty service members and veterans die by suicide at much higher rates than the civilian population.
- In the United States Department of Defense’s (USDOD) “Quarterly Suicide Report” for the fourth quarter of 2016, the military services reported the following for all of 2016: 275 deaths by suicide for active military members; 203 deaths by suicide for military reserve members; and 123 deaths by suicide for members of the National Guard.
- The Defense Suicide Prevention Office in the USDOD is working diligently to reduce these staggering numbers through an integrated, holistic approach to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention utilizing a range of medical and nonmedical resources.
- In an effort to prevent suicides, the USDOD has recently launched a program entitled “Be There,” offering confidential peer coaching to active duty service members, including National Guard active and reserve members and their families, using 24-hours-per-day, seven-days-per-week chat, telephone, and text options. The program is staffed by peer coaches who are veteran service members and family members of veterans and aims to provide support for everyday problem solving, such as career and general life challenges.
- We must recognize that this tragic epidemic is taking the lives of those who have most heavily borne the burden of protecting and serving their country, in the past and present. In 2014, an average of 20 veterans died by suicide each day, and six of the 20 were users of United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) services.
- The VA has undertaken several measures to prevent suicide among veterans, including a 24-hours-per-day, seven-days-per-week veterans crisis telephone hotline, using predictive analytics to identify those at risk for suicide and providing early intervention services, bolstering mental health services for female veterans, expanding telemental health services, and proactively reaching out to veterans needing care.
- This resolution endeavors to promote awareness of the problem of suicide and the particular epidemic facing the military population, and encourages active duty service members, veterans, service providers, advocates, and the people of the State of California to work together to continue to educate the public on how to recognize the warning signs and improve the outreach to, and treatment of, individuals at risk for suicide.
FISCAL EFFECT: None
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
AMVETS-Department of California
American G.I Forum of California
American Legion-Department of California
California Association of County Veterans Service Officers
California State Commanders Veterans Council
Mental Health America of California
Military Officers Association of California, CA Council of Chapters
Steinberg Institute
Vietnam Veterans of America-California State Council
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by:
Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | SCR 65 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: SCR 65
Amended: 8/22/17
SUBJECT: Military and Veteran Suicide Prevention Awareness Week
SOURCE: AMVETS-Department of California
Mental Health America of California
DIGEST:
This resolution proclaims September 3, 2017, to September 9, 2017, inclusive, as Military and Veteran Suicide Prevention Awareness Week in California.
Senate Floor Amendments of 8/22/17 modify the week designated as Military and Veteran Suicide Prevention Awareness Week, and make technical changes.
ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:
- Suicide affects all Americans, but data shows that active duty service members and veterans die by suicide at much higher rates than the civilian population.
- In the United States Department of Defense’s (USDOD) “Quarterly Suicide Report” for the fourth quarter of 2016, the military services reported the following for all of 2016:
- 275 deaths by suicide for active military members;
- 203 deaths by suicide for military reserve members; and
- 123 deaths by suicide for members of the National Guard.
- The Defense Suicide Prevention Office in the USDOD is working diligently to reduce these staggering numbers through an integrated, holistic approach to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention utilizing a range of medical and nonmedical resources.
- In an effort to prevent suicides, the USDOD has recently launched a program entitled “Be There,” offering confidential peer coaching to active duty service members, including National Guard active and reserve members and their families, using 24-hours-per-day, seven-days-per-week chat, telephone, and text options. The program is staffed by peer coaches who are veteran service members and family members of veterans and aims to provide support for everyday problem solving, such as career and general life challenges.
- We must recognize that this tragic epidemic is taking the lives of those who have most heavily borne the burden of protecting and serving their country, in the past and present. In 2014, an average of 20 veterans died by suicide each day, and six of the 20 were users of United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) services.
- The VA has undertaken several measures to prevent suicide among veterans, including a 24-hours-per-day, seven-days-per-week veterans crisis telephone hotline, using predictive analytics to identify those at risk for suicide and providing early intervention services, bolstering mental health services for female veterans, expanding telemental health services, and proactively reaching out to veterans needing care.
- This resolution endeavors to promote awareness of the problem of suicide and the particular epidemic facing the military population, and encourages active duty service members, veterans, service providers, advocates, and the people of the State of California to work together to continue to educate the public on how to recognize the warning signs and improve the outreach to, and treatment of, individuals at risk for suicide.
This resolution proclaims September 3, 2017, to September 9, 2017, inclusive, as Military and Veteran Suicide Prevention Awareness Week in California.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No
AMVETS-Department of California (co-source)
Mental Health America of California (co-source)
American G.I. Forum of California
American Legion-Department of California
California Association of County Veterans Service Officers
California State Commanders Veterans Council
Military Officers Association of America, California Council of Chapters
Vietnam Veterans of America-California State Council
OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/22/17)
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: Mental Health America of California writes that this bill raises awareness about suicide within the military and among veterans and brings attention to a stigmatized topic to save the lives of those who have courageously served our country and protected us.
Prepared by: Melissa Ward / SFA / (916) 651-1520
8/23/17 11:07:28
**** END ****
Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | SCR 65 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: SCR 65
Introduced: 6/20/17
SUBJECT: Military and Veteran Suicide Prevention Awareness Week
DIGEST:
This resolution proclaims September 24, 2017, to September 30, 2017, inclusive, as Military and Veteran Suicide Prevention Awareness Week in California.
ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:
- Suicide affects all Americans, but data shows that active duty service members and veterans commit suicide at much higher rates than the civilian population.
- In the United States Department of Defense’s (USDOD) “Quarterly Suicide Report” for the fourth quarter of 2016, the military services reported the following for all of 2016:
- 275 deaths by suicide for active military members;
- 203 deaths by suicide for military reserve members; and
- 123 deaths by suicide for members of the National Guard.
- The Defense Suicide Prevention Office in the USDOD is working diligently to reduce these staggering numbers through an integrated, holistic approach to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention utilizing a range of medical and nonmedical resources.
- In an effort to prevent suicides, the USDOD has recently launched a program entitled “Be There,” offering confidential peer coaching to active duty service members, including National Guard active and reserve members and their families, using 24-hours-per-day, seven-days-per-week chat, telephone, and text options. The program is staffed by peer coaches who are veteran service members and family members of veterans and aims to provide support for everyday problem solving, such as career and general life challenges.
- We must recognize that this tragic epidemic is taking the lives of those who have most heavily borne the burden of protecting and serving their country, in the past and present. In 2014, an average of 20 veterans died from suicide each day, and six of the 20 were users of United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) services.
- The VA has undertaken several measures to prevent suicide among veterans, including a 24-hours-per-day, seven-days-per-week veterans crisis telephone hotline, using predictive analytics to identify those at risk for suicide and providing early intervention services, bolstering mental health services for female veterans, expanding telemental health services, and proactively reaching out to veterans needing care.
- This resolution endeavors to promote awareness of the problem of suicide and the particular epidemic facing the military population, and encourages active duty service members, veterans, service providers, advocates, and the people of the State of California to work together to continue to educate the public on how to recognize the warning signs and improve the outreach to, and treatment of, individuals at risk for suicide.
This resolution proclaims September 24, 2017, to September 30, 2017, inclusive, as Military and Veteran Suicide Prevention Awareness Week in California.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No
None received
OPPOSITION: (Verified 6/28/17)
None received
Prepared by: Melissa Ward / SFA / (916) 651-1520
6/28/17 17:01:40
**** END ****
Discussed in Hearing
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