Youth Suicide Prevention Legislation Receives Public Hearing

Press release from House Democrats Office:

Feb. 4, 2021

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) and State Representative Liz Linehan (D-Cheshire) are optimistic after legislation establishing a youth suicide prevention program in Connecticut received a public hearing in the Children's Committee. This legislation would create a program providing training to school employees, youth service bureau employees, youth-serving organization employees, youth athletic leaders and employees, and employees of municipal service agencies in helping prevent suicide among children in the state.

"We have seen youth suicide rates increase nationwide and in Connecticut in recent years, with those numbers likely to keep climbing without taking action," said Sen. Anwar. "We cannot let this issue rest any longer. By ensuring the teachers, coaches, guardians and others who help children every day know the warning signs shown by students in distress and strategies to help them through difficult times, we can yet reverse this trend. I look forward to this bill becoming law and helping the real-life children at risk every day."

"This bill creates opportunities for municipalities to provide the evidence-based QPR training, known as the 'CPR of suicide ideation,' for any member of their community who is rightfully concerned about mental health," said Rep. Linehan. "This train-the-trainer model would create a certified QPR trainer in every municipality in the state, who will then provide this training on an ongoing basis. We’re creating a network of neighbors who care, and giving them a real, proven way to work towards ending suicide in our communities. Given the effects of the pandemic on the mental health of children and adults alike, we cannot wait any longer. The time for this program is now."

House Bill 6111, "An Act Establishing A Youth Suicide Prevention Program," if passed would see the state Youth Suicide Advisory board administer a program in evidence-based youth suicide prevention. That program would involve school, youth service, youth organization, youth athletic and social service staff receive youth suicide prevention training, with at least 20 separate employee groups in the state receiving such training. The Advisory Board and Office of the Child Advocate would further develop criteria for selecting employee groups, with priority given to employee groups serving municipalities seeing youth suicide within the previous five years. To achieve these goals, the Advisory Board and Office could accept gifts, grants or donations from any public or private source and may contract with non-governmental training to fulfill the program.

This press release was produced by House Democrats Office. The views expressed here are the author's own.