Harrisburg − Sept. 28, 2016 − State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) today presented a copy of a Senate resolution declaring Sept. 10, 2016 as “World Suicide Prevention Day” to a group of advocates and families in the Capitol Rotunda.

Sen. Tartaglione at the "World Suicide Prevention Day" event in the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg.

Sen. Tartaglione at the “World Suicide Prevention Day” event in the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg.

“The goal in declaring ‘World Suicide Prevention Day’ and presenting a copy of the resolution to advocates and families is to raise awareness about how suicides are a major health concern,” Tartaglione said.  “The hope is that we can save lives by calling attention to this very difficult issue.”

Tartaglione said that each year on Sept. 10 the International Association for Suicide Prevention and World Health Organization (WHO) observe “World Suicide Prevention Day.”

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States.  There are about 800,000 people who die from suicide every year, according to WHO.  Suicide survivors are 25 times more likely to commit suicide in the future.

“Heightened awareness about suicides may result in a friend in distress going to see a mental health professional for treatment,” Tartaglione said.

On behalf of Gov. Tom Wolf, Tartaglione also presented a gubernatorial proclamation to the advocates and families.

Tartaglione’s legislation, Senate Resolution 425, was approved by the full Senate on Sept. 26.

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