K 724: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 7-13, 2025, as Suicide Prevention Week in the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 724 BY: M. of A. Griffin MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 7-13, 2025, as Suicide Prevention Week in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official weeks that are set aside to increase awareness of serious issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 7-13, 2025, as Suicide Prevention Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of World Suicide Prevention Day; and WHEREAS, Suicide Prevention Week is an annual week-long campaign in the United States to inform and engage health professionals and the general public about suicide prevention and warning signs of suicide; and WHEREAS, By drawing attention to the problem of suicide in the United States, the campaign also strives to reduce the stigma surrounding the topic, as well as to encourage the pursuit of mental health assistance and support people who have attempted suicide; and WHEREAS, World Suicide Prevention Day is observed on September 10th each year to promote worldwide action to prevent suicides; various events and activities are held during this occasion to raise awareness about suicide, mental illnesses associated with suicide, and suicide prevention; and WHEREAS, Established in 2003, World Suicide Prevention Day is an International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) initiative co-sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) which aims to raise awareness that suicide is preventable, improve education about suicide, spread information about suicide awareness and decrease stigmatization regarding suicide; and WHEREAS, WHO and IASP work with governments and other partners to ensure that suicide is no longer stigmatized, criminalized or penalized; and WHEREAS, According to WHO, nearly 3,000 people on average commit suicide daily; furthermore, for every person who completes a suicide, 20 or more may attempt to end their lives; and WHEREAS, Suicide is a major preventable cause of premature death which is influenced by psycho-social, cultural and environmental risk factors that can be prevented through initiatives which address these main risk factors; and WHEREAS, Approximately one million people die each year by suicide; there is strong evidence indicating that adequate prevention can reduce these astounding rates; and WHEREAS, The stigma surrounding suicide and mental illness too often impedes an individual's ability to seek treatment, share their personal story, grieve appropriately for the loss of a loved one, and move through a journey of healing and recovery; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this serious health issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the local, State and National levels; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 7-13, 2025, as Suicide Prevention Week in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.