Starting this year, to help prevent suicide among our youth, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is printed on student identification cards for all California public and private school students in grades 7-12, as well on college student I.D.s. Suicide among our teens and college students is an unparalleled national crisis. Suicide rates among young people have almost doubled in 17 years. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death for those ages 10-24. Nearly one in five California high school students have seriously considered attempting suicide. Nine percent stated that they had attempted suicide one or more times. One in twelve college students has made a suicide plan. Every life has precious and must be protected, especially when most weak and vulnerable. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline gives students contemplating suicide, and other students who know classmates that may be doing so, a dedicated resource to immediately access vital support in moments of crisis. AB 624 (Gabriel - D, San Fernando Valley) would detract from this vital, life-saving resource. Under this bill, two more numbers would be mandated to be placed on student I.D.'s (The National Sexual Assault Hotline and a sexual/reproductive health care resource). These would be in addition to yet another hotline number for domestic violence that will be included next school year. Not every important assistance number can fit on student I.Ds. With each additional number required on student I.D.s - all become smaller and, at some point, useless. We are strongly opposed to AB 624 because the inclusion of any more numbers of other hotlines, regardless of how worthy, would diminish the efficacy of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline now required on student identification cards. Ask Governor Newsom to VETO AB 624 now. |
