WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), both members of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, introduced a resolution recognizing September as National Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and the second leading cause of death among Americans between the ages of 10 and 34.

“Senator Cassidy and I are introducing this resolution to help break through the stigma that continues to surround mental illness, and remind people that there are people willing and able to help. Too many people, especially veterans and young people, take their own lives because they feel it’s their only option. Every suicide is preventable, and Congress can play a role in educating people about the many resources that are available to help people in crisis,” said Murphy.

“Every life has meaning, value and potential, and suicide deprives the world of seeing that value,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Senator Murphy and I are working together to ensure those struggling with mental illness have the resources they need, and to increase awareness of the prevalence of suicide and what everyone can do to prevent this needless loss of life.”

U.S. Senators John Kennedy (R-La.), Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) cosponsored the resolution.

Murphy and Cassidy coauthored the Mental Health Reform Act, one of the largest reforms to our nation’s mental health system, and continue to push for the full implementation of the reforms that will improve the lives of those with mental illness.

The full text of the resolution can be viewed here.

 

###