HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

30

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE PREVENT SUICIDE HAWAII TASK FORCE TO RECOMMEND A STRATEGIC PLAN TO REDUCE SUICIDES IN HAWAII BY AT LEAST TWENTY-FIVE PER CENT BY 2025.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that suicide is a major health concern that claims approximately one million lives worldwide each year; and

 

     WHEREAS, in Hawaii, suicide was the most common cause of fatal injuries between 2010 and 2014, accounting for one out of every four fatal injuries; and

 

     WHEREAS, every two days, one person in Hawaii falls victim to suicide; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force is a partnership of state, public, and private agencies and community groups working in collaboration to provide leadership, develop strategies, coordinate activities, and monitor progress of suicide prevention efforts in the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force includes the Department of Health's Injury Prevention and Control Section in planning and implementing these activities; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force provides leadership for suicide prevention activities statewide, including National Suicide Prevention Week and suicide prevention conferences; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force meets bi-monthly to address suicide prevention issues statewide; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force is a valuable ally in the effort to save lives from suicide; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Legislature is concerned about the health, safety, and welfare of all the people of Hawaii, including military personnel, veterans, and visitors; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2016, that the Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force is requested to recommend a strategic plan to reduce suicides in Hawaii by at least twenty-five per cent by 2025; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force, in the course of developing its recommendations, is requested to examine, evaluate, and determine methods to improve education, awareness, support services, and outreach to best prevent suicides in Hawaii; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force is requested to form a temporary subcommittee to assist in the development of its recommendations; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the subcommittee is requested to include individuals who have expertise or experience in fields or disciplines related to suicide prevention and education or awareness of suicide prevention; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, at minimum, the following individuals are requested to serve and be included on the subcommittee:

 

     (1)  Three members to be appointed by the Governor, two of whom are requested to be survivors of attempted suicide;

 

     (2)  One member to be appointed by the President of the Senate;

 

     (3)  One member to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

 

     (4)  One member to be appointed by the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the United States Department of Health and Human Services;

 

     (5)  The Suicide Prevention Program Managers for the United States Reserves in Hawaii, or their designees;

 

     (6)  The Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the Department of Health;

 

     (7)  One member from the Injury Prevention and Control Section, to be appointed by the Director of Health;

 

     (8)  One member from the Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force; to be appointed by the Director of Health;

 

     (9)  One member to be appointed by the Dean of the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, from its Department of Psychiatry;

 

    (10)  One member from the Hawaii Youth Leadership Council for Suicide Prevention, to be appointed by the President of the Senate;

 

    (11)  One member from the Hawaii Youth Leadership Council for Suicide Prevention, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

 

    (12)  The Chair of the Board of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Hawaii Chapter, or the Chair's designee;

 

    (13)  The President of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Hawaii Chapter, or the President's designee;

 

    (14)  The Community Liaison of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Hawaii Chapter; and

 

    (15)  The President of the Board of Directors of Mental Health America of Hawaii, or the President's designee; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the subcommittee are requested to elect a chair, a vice chair, and any other necessary officers from among its members; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the subcommittee is requested to meet as often as necessary during the 2016 interim to assist the Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force develop its recommendations; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2017; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health, who in turn is requested to transmit copies to the Governor; the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the United States Department of Health and Human Services; the Suicide Prevention Program Managers for the United States Reserves in Hawaii; the Dean of the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii at Manoa; the Chair of the Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force; the Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the Department of Health; the Chair of the Hawaii Youth Leadership Council for Suicide Prevention; the Chair, the President, and the Community Liaison of the Board of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Hawaii Chapter; and the President of the Board of Directors of Mental Health America of Hawaii.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force; Suicide Reduction