House of Representatives

SB 1125

suicide prevention program

Sponsors: Senators Solomon, Hellon,

Representative Huppenthal, et al.

 

DP

Committee on Health

DP

Committee on Appropriations

X

Caucus and COW

This bill as introduced contains an Appropriation clause.

 

As Passed the House

 

SB 1125 establishes a suicide prevention program under the Department of Health Services (DHS) and appropriates $140,000 in FY 2001-2002 and $120,000 in FY 2002-2003 for the program.

 

History

According to the Surgeon General's Call To Action To Prevent Suicide report, "suicide rates increase with age and are highest among white American males aged 65 years and older."  It is thought that many elderly patients that commit suicide are experiencing a first episode of mild to moderate depression, which is  highly treatable.  The DHS Health and Vital Statistics Report notes that in 1999,  773 people died in Arizona as a result of suicide. Of the 773, 160 were elderly persons.  Regardless of age, Arizona's suicide rate is greater than the national average, despite a 14.1% decline between 1998-1999.

 

The Surgeon General's report focuses on the importance of broadening the public's awareness of suicide and its risk factors, enhancing services and programs whether population-based or clinical care and advancing the science of suicide prevention when developing a strategy to combat suicide.

 

Provisions

·                      Establishes a suicide prevention program to be administered by the Deputy Director of DHS.

·                      Stipulates that the program must:

®                  Coordinate prevention and awareness programs related to suicide within DHS and throughout the state.

®                  Apply to receive federal monies for suicide prevention programs.

®                  Develop and implement a statewide plan to reduce attempted suicides and deaths from suicide.

®                  Submit a report on or before November 15 of each year that includes the suicide prevention program's activities, findings and recommendations to the legislature.

·                      Appropriates $140,000 in FY 2001-2002 and $120,000 in FY 2002-2003 from the state general fund to DHS for the suicide prevention program and exempts the appropriation from lapsing.

·                      Ends the program on July 1, 2011.

 

SB 1125 passed the Health Committee unamended.

SB 1125 passed the Appropriations Committee unamended.

 

 

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45th Legislature                                                                                                                                

First Regular Session                                   2                                                            April 18, 2001

 

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