Bill Text: NJ AJR112 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Designates calendar week that includes September 10th of each year as "Suicide Prevention Week" in NJ.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-05-06 - Reported out of Assembly Comm. with Amendments, 2nd Reading [AJR112 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2024-AJR112-Amended.html

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[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 112

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

221st LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 1, 2024

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  BENJIE E. WIMBERLY

District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)

Assemblywoman  VERLINA REYNOLDS-JACKSON

District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)

Assemblyman  GABRIEL RODRIGUEZ

District 33 (Hudson)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Designates calendar week that includes September 10th of each year as "Suicide Prevention Week" in NJ.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee on May 6, 2024, with amendments.

  

A Joint Resolution designating the calendar week, beginning on Sunday, which includes September 10th, of each year as "Suicide Prevention Week" in New Jersey.

 

Whereas, Suicide is a public health issue that requires vigilant attention and preventative action; and

Whereas, There were ¹[44,965] 48,183¹ deaths by suicide recorded in the United States in ¹[2016] 2021¹ and ¹[687] 688¹ of those deaths were in New Jersey; and

Whereas, Every death by suicide directly impacts numerous family members, friends, loved ones, and by extension the entire community; and

Whereas, New Jersey is committed to raising awareness, providing education and training on suicide prevention, and reducing stigma; and

Whereas, New Jersey is also committed to 1) ensuring that those in need have access to services by healthcare providers trained in best practices to reduce suicide risk and 2) reducing the stigma associated with using behavioral health treatment or losing a loved one to suicide; and

Whereas, New Jersey provides many suicide prevention resources, including the New Jersey Suicide Hopeline, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 2nd Floor Youth Helpline, Vet2Vet Helpline, and Cop2Cop program; and

Whereas, No single suicide prevention effort will be sufficient or appropriate for all populations or communities; and

Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper, and within the public interest, to designate the calendar week, beginning on Sunday, which includes September 10th of each year as "Suicide Prevention Week" in New Jersey to encourage the citizens of this State to join together and take a stand to prevent suicide; now, therefore,

 

     Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    The calendar week, beginning on Sunday, which includes September 10th of each year is designated as "Suicide Prevention Week" in New Jersey to encourage the citizens of this State to join together and take a stand to prevent suicide.

 

     2.    The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the calendar week, beginning on Sunday, including September 10th of each year as "Suicide Prevention Week" in New Jersey and to call upon public officials and the residents of New Jersey to observe the week with appropriate activities and programs.

 

     3.    This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.