Senator Johnson offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 146.

            A resolution encouraging the State Board of Education to incorporate suicide prevention and education as part of the state of Michigan’s public school curriculum.

            Whereas, Suicide is a leading cause of death for young people in this state. According to the Michigan Department of Community Health, in 2001 there were 1,045 suicide deaths in the state of Michigan.  Suicide was the third-leading cause of death in Michigan for ages 15-34; and

            Whereas, A suicide can devastate a community. According to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), suicide severely impacts the families and friends left behind, who often wrongly live with extreme shame and guilt over not having prevented the death of their loved one. Moreover, many attempts which do not result in death nonetheless end in serious injury to the victims and lifelong trauma to their families and those who know them; and

            Whereas, A person who is considering suicide may exhibit behavioral warning signs. If someone notices the warning signs of suicide, it may be possible to avert a tragedy. With the possible exception of a parent, no one is better situated than a teacher to detect these signs and to initiate appropriate steps to prevent a suicide attempt; and

Whereas, Proper training for teaching staff members can thus save pupils’ lives and save the families and friends of would-be victims the trauma of a suicide or suicide attempt. Moreover, early identification of depression and other problems may help to reduce the number of young people who commit or attempt to commit suicide once they have left school and entered adulthood; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That the State Board of Education is hereby encouraged to incorporate suicide prevention and education as part of the state of Michigan’s public school curriculum; and be it further

            Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the State Board of Education.