EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

1-1 Whereas, Suicide is the ninth leading cause of death in the United

1-2 States and ranks third in young persons between the ages of 15 and 24

1-3 years; and

1-4 Whereas, Nationally, 31,000 lives are lost to suicide each year and an

1-5 estimated 750,000 suicides are attempted; and

1-6 Whereas, Suicide annually causes over 200,000 family members

1-7 nationwide, including many Nevadans, to mourn a tragic death from

1-8 suicide; and

1-9 Whereas, The rate of suicides per 100,000 persons has remained

1-10 relatively stable over the past 40 years for the general population, but that

1-11 rate has nearly tripled for young persons and is the highest ever for adults

1-12 over the age of 65 years; and

1-13 Whereas, The stigma associated with mental illness often discourages

1-14 persons at risk of committing suicide from seeking lifesaving help; and

1-15 Whereas, The stigma associated with suicide seriously inhibits

1-16 surviving family members from regaining meaningful lives; and

1-17 Whereas, Death from suicide in the State of Nevada imposes a

1-18 considerable economic burden in terms of potential years of life lost,

1-19 medical costs incurred and workdays lost by mourners; and

1-20 Whereas, Suicide is a complex, multifaceted biological, sociological,

1-21 psychological and societal problem; and

1-22 Whereas, Because many deaths from suicides are preventable, there is

1-23 an urgent need for the development of more effective suicide prevention

1-24 programs; and

2-1 Whereas, Opportunities for the prevention of suicide continue to

2-2 increase because of advances in clinical research, treatments for mental

2-3 disorders, neuroscience and the development of community-based

2-4 initiatives that await evaluation; and

2-5 Whereas, Efforts to prevent suicide should be encouraged to the

2-6 maximum extent possible; now, therefore, be it

2-7 Resolved by the Senate of the State of Nevada, the Assembly

2-8 Concurring, That the members of the Legislature of the State of Nevada

2-9 do hereby recognize suicide as a serious problem in this state and declare

2-10 the prevention of suicide to be a state priority; and be it further

2-11 Resolved, That this legislative body acknowledges that no single

2-12 suicide prevention program or effort is appropriate for all populations or

2-13 communities and therefore encourages community-based initiatives

2-14 dedicated to:

2-15 1. Preventing suicide;

2-16 2. Responding to persons at risk for suicide, including those persons

2-17 who have already attempted suicide;

2-18 3. Promoting safe and effective treatment for persons at risk for

2-19 suicide; and

2-20 4. Supporting persons who have lost someone to suicide; and be it

2-21 further

2-22 Resolved, That the Nevada Legislature encourages the development

2-23 and promotion of accessible and affordable mental health services that

2-24 would enable persons at risk for suicide to obtain such services without

2-25 fear of any stigma.