Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 3–
Senator O’Connell (by request)

February 9, 2001

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Referred to Committee on Legislative Affairs and Operations

SUMMARY—Directs Legislative Commission to appoint interim committee to study problem of suicide and feasibility of creating statewide strategy to prevent suicide. (BDR R‑649)

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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).

Senate Concurrent RESOLUTION—Directing the Legislative Commission to appoint an interim committee to investigate the problem of suicide in this state and to study the feasibility of developing and carrying out a statewide strategy for the prevention of suicide.

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

1-2 States and ranks third as the cause of death in young persons who are at

1-3 least 15 years of age, but not more than 24 years of age; and

1-4 Whereas, Nationally, over 30,000 lives are lost to suicide each year

1-5 and an 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; and

1-8 Whereas, The rate of suicides per 100,000 persons has remained

1-9 relatively stable over the past 40 years for the general population, but has

1-10 nearly tripled for young persons and is the highest ever for adults over the

1-11 age of 65 years; and

1-12 Whereas, The rate of suicide in the State of Nevada is more than twice

1-13 the national average rate of suicide; and

1-14 Whereas, Suicide is the sixth leading cause of death in the State of

1-15 Nevada; and

1-16 Whereas, The number of deaths in the State of Nevada resulting from

1-17 suicide is greater than the numbers of deaths in this state resulting from

1-18 homicide, motor vehicle accidents or the acquired immunodeficiency

1-19 syndrome; and

1-20 Whereas, The number of deaths of residents of the State of Nevada

1-21 resulting from suicide imposes a considerable economic burden in terms of

1-22 potential years of life lost, medical expenses incurred and workdays lost by

1-23 mourners; and

1-24 Whereas, The stigma associated with mental illness often discourages

1-25 persons at risk of committing suicide from seeking lifesaving help; and

2-1 Whereas, The stigma associated with suicide seriously inhibits

2-2 surviving family members from regaining meaningful lives; and

2-3 Whereas, Suicide is a complex, multifaceted biological, sociological,

2-4 psychological and societal problem; and

2-5 Whereas, Because many suicides are preventable, there is an urgent

2-6 need for the development of more effective programs for the prevention of

2-7 suicide; and

2-8 Whereas, Opportunities for the prevention of suicide continue to

2-9 increase because of advances in clinical research, neuroscience, treatments

2-10 for mental disorders and the development of community-based initiatives;

2-11 and

2-12 Whereas, Efforts to prevent suicide should be encouraged to the

2-13 maximum extent possible; now, therefore, be it

2-14 Resolved by the Senate of the State of Nevada, the Assembly

2-15 Concurring, That the members of the Legislature of the State of Nevada

2-16 hereby recognize suicide as a serious problem in this state and declare the

2-17 prevention of suicide to be a priority of this state; and be it further

2-18 Resolved, That the members of the Legislature of the State of Nevada

2-19 acknowledge that no single program or effort for the prevention of suicide

2-20 is appropriate for all populations or communities and therefore encourage

2-21 the creation and maintenance of community-based initiatives dedicated to:

2-22 1. Preventing suicide;

2-23 2. Responding to persons at risk for suicide, including those persons

2-24 who have already attempted suicide;

2-25 3. Promoting safe and effective treatment for persons at risk for

2-26 suicide; and

2-27 4. Supporting persons who have lost someone to suicide; and be it

2-28 further

2-29 Resolved, That the Legislative Commission is hereby directed to

2-30 appoint an interim committee, composed of members of the Senate and

2-31 members of the Assembly, to study the problem of suicide in the State of

2-32 Nevada and the feasibility of developing and carrying out a statewide plan

2-33 for the prevention of suicide, including, without limitation, the creation and

2-34 maintenance of community-based initiatives which address the impact that

2-35 suicides have on the residents of this state and are likely to result in a

2-36 sustained reduction in the rate of suicides in this state; and be it further

2-37 Resolved, That any legislation proposed by the interim committee

2-38 must be approved by a majority of the members of the Senate and a

2-39 majority of the members of the Assembly appointed to the interim

2-40 committee; and be it further

2-41 Resolved, That the Legislative Commission shall submit a report of

2-42 the results of the interim study and any recommended legislation to the

2-43 72nd session of the Nevada Legislature.

2-44 H