SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 62
(By Senators McKenzie, Tomblin, Mr. President, Prezioso, Minard,
Plymale, Chafin, Sprouse, Sharpe, Love, Rowe, Caldwell, Bowman,
McCabe, Minear, Dempsey, Jenkins, Hunter, Facemyer, Weeks, Helmick
Unger, Kessler, Guills, Snyder, Ross, Oliverio and Smith)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance appoint an
interim committee to study the silent epidemic of youth
suicide in this state.
Whereas, Suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth
between the ages of 15 and 24 and the second leading cause of death
for college-age youth; and
Whereas, Each day across this country, there is an average of
2,700 suicide attempts by young people between the ages of 12 and
17. Each week approximately 100 hundred young people commit
suicide; and
Whereas, In a survey conducted in West Virginia in 2000, one
out of every five students in grades six through 12 responded that
they had seriously considered attempting suicide in the past twelve
months, almost one out of three students reported that they had
battled the start of depression in the past twelve months, almost
one out of every six students had made a plan to commit suicide in
the past twelve months and one out of every fourteen students had
attempted suicide in the past twelve months;
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to appoint an interim committee to study the
silent
epidemic of youth suicide in this state
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2005, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.