Senator Tartaglione Hosts Members of the Suicide Prevention Alliance

Senator Tartaglione Hosts Members of the Suicide Prevention Alliance

Harrisburg, PA − October 1, 2021 − This week, Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D- Philadelphia) hosted members of the Suicide Prevention Alliance at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in recognition of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

Sen. Tartaglione met with the Suicide Prevention Alliance, a non-profit organization solely dedicated to prevention suicide across the country, to discuss the importance of education, awareness, and community support for suicide prevention. Members also shared their own personal experiences related to suicide and why they are passionate about working to help those who need support. 

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34 and the 10th overall leading cause of death in the United States

“I’ve been in your shoes, I’ve felt your pain, I’ve thought of taking my own life too,” said Sen. Tartaglione. “After my accident 18 years ago, I struggled, but through a powerful support group, I made it through and that’s why I have dedicated my career to giving a voice to those in pain. More can and must be done to educate about harm reduction and the resources that are available to anyone in crisis. Any life lost to suicide is one too many, we have the resources to save these lives. We just need to make them more accessible.”

Sen. Tartaglione and her guests and members of the Suicide Prevention Alliance recorded videos which can be found here

If you or someone you know are in crisis or are experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273 TALK (8255)

###

Tartaglione Resolutions Designate September as ‘Spinal Cord Awareness Month,’ Sept. 10 as ‘World Suicide Prevention Day’

HARRISBURG, June 24, 2015 – In her ongoing work to include Pennsylvanians with disabilities in daily life, state Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione today won Senate passage of resolutions that will designate September as “National Spinal Cord Awareness Month” and Sept. 10 as “World Suicide Prevention Day” in the commonwealth.

During the month-long “National Spinal Cord Awareness Month,” Tartaglione said the designation is important to her because of the boating accident that changed her life, and because spinal cord injuries happen too frequently.

“Did you know that every 48 minutes, another person in the U.S. becomes paralyzed from a spinal cord injury?” Tartaglione asked fellow senators this afternoon. “Today, we have more Americans living with paralysis than ever before, and that number is growing exponentially as our veteran population expands.

“I ask that we take the necessary steps to ensure everyone gains access to the latest medical treatments and technologies because every individual with a spinal cord injury deserves the opportunity for a better quality of life,” she said.

For “World Suicide Prevention Day,” Tartaglione said it’s important for people to learn more about suicide because 1,700 Pennsylvanians take their own lives every year.

“By taking part in this important event, all of us can help put an end to suicide,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “From government to health professionals, from interest groups to family, friends and co-workers; everyone plays an equally important role in suicide prevention.

“Working together, we can increase awareness and education, so that individuals at-risk of suicide are identified, treated and provided with the post-intervention services they need.”

###

Follow Sen. Christine Tartaglione on Facebook, Twitter and her website.