ARIZONA NEWS

Senate bill addresses suicide crisis among schoolchildren in Arizona

Jan 31, 2018, 4:14 AM | Updated: Feb 4, 2018, 10:03 am

(Pixabay photo)...

(Pixabay photo)

(Pixabay photo)

PHOENIX — The number of people taking their own lives in Arizona is on the rise. In 2017, Arizona ranked No. 12 in the nation for the number of suicides with more than 13,000 across the state.

More than four times as many people die by suicide than by homicide and more people died by suicide in Arizona last year than by opioid overdose. The youngest person to die by suicide in Arizona was 9 years old.

In order to address this epidemic, a group of Arizona lawmakers have introduced a bill that would require officials who work with grades six through 12 at state public and charter schools to undergo suicide prevention training.

The legislation would also require school officials to undergo training to identify warning signs of suicidal behavior in adolescents and teens.

If signed into law, the bill would enact these requirements in the 2019-2020 school year.

The lawmakers, including State Rep. Denise Epstein (D-Tempe), gathered with those affected by suicide and suicide prevention and intervention groups to speak about the legislation on Tuesday.

“Alarm bells would be ringing!” said Epstein. “Suicide is preventable, treatment works, and recovery happens.”

According to Epstein, the bill — formally known as Senate Bill 1391 — aims to save lives by creating an office of State Coordinator for Suicide Prevention.

The job of the coordinator will be to establish training programs among school employees, from teachers and administrators to principals, for them to identify, assist, and aid a student who in is crisis and may harm themselves.

The coordinator will compile a tool kit of programs from advocacy groups, other school districts, and neighborhood coalitions who are working to prevent suicide and distribute materials and implement actions plans from them.

“The state coordinator would work with the Arizona Suicide Prevention Coalition providing access to many effective non-profit agency resources,” Epstein said. “We can provide support more efficiently and effectively with one person coordinating the work.”

The bill was introduced in the legislature on Monday and assigned to a number of Senate committees for review.

If you or anyone you know is suffering with suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-273-8255. 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

A crash involving a truck carrying oxygen created a hazmat situation in Glendale....

Kevin Stone

Crash involving truck carrying oxygen creates hazmat situation in Glendale

A multivehicle crash involving a truck carrying oxygen created a hazmat situation in Glendale on Wednesday morning.

2 minutes ago

What happened before man found dead by suicide in Mesa?...

Serena O'Sullivan

Suspect in fatal shooting found dead by apparent suicide in Mesa, police say

A Mesa man accused of fatally shooting a man in his 30s in a domestic violence incident on Tuesday was found dead by suicide, police said.

1 hour ago

Karrin Taylor Robson...

Kevin Stone

Karrin Taylor Robson announces 2nd run for governor of Arizona

Karrin Taylor Robson, who unsuccessfully ran for governor of Arizona in 2022, announced Wednesday she is running again in 2026.

3 hours ago

Phoenix police officers shot and killed a suspect near Williams Field and and Higley roads in Gilbe...

KTAR.com

Man killed, woman wounded in overnight shooting involving Phoenix police officers in Gilbert

A man was killed and a woman was injured in an overnight shooting involving Phoenix Police Department officers in Gilbert, authorities said Wednesday.

4 hours ago

A Scottsdale estate with a Jordan shoe display and a full basketball gym was listed for $23.5 milli...

Kevin Stone

Furnished Scottsdale estate with basketball gym, Jordan sneaker display listed for $23.5M

A basketball lover’s dream home is on the market in north Scottsdale, but you better have plenty of space under your salary cap if you want to buy it.

5 hours ago

Follow @Tom_KTAR...

Sponsored Content by Bright Wealth Management

How updating your estate plan is crucial in saving money

As you map out your estate plan, mapping out beneficiaries and keeping it up to date is key in order for the most funds possible to be passed down with ease.

Sponsored Articles

...

Bright Wealth Management

How IRAs are a helpful tool in retirement planning

When it comes to retirement planning, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) can be a great tool for income growth.

...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford’s Operation Santa Claus: Spreading holiday cheer through pickleball

Phoenix, AZ – Sanderson Ford, a staple in the Arizona community, is once again gearing up for its annual Operation Santa Claus charity drive.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Why a Heating Tune-Up is Essential Before Winter

PHOENIX, AZ — With cooler weather on the horizon, making sure your heating system is prepped and ready can make all the difference in staying comfortable this winter.

Senate bill addresses suicide crisis among schoolchildren in Arizona