IV 
112TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 782 
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Suicide Prevention and Awareness 
Month. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 13, 2012 
Mr. BOSWELL (for himself and Mr. MCDERMOTT) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
RESOLUTION 
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Suicide 
Prevention and Awareness Month. 
Whereas suicide is the 10th leading cause of all deaths in the 
United States and the third leading cause of death 
among individuals between the ages of 15 to 24; 
Whereas in the United States, on average, there is a death 
by suicide every 14.2 minutes; 
Whereas it is estimated that 4,730,000 people in the United 
States are survivors of suicide (those who have lost a 
loved one to suicide); 
Whereas an increase in the overall suicide rate in the United 
States occurred in 2009, the suicide rate for those be-
tween the ages of 15 to 24 has more than doubled since 
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•HRES 782 IH 
the mid-1950s, and the suicide rate remains highest for 
adults 75 years of age and older; 
Whereas suicide is now the leading noncombat cause of death 
among members of the Armed Forces and the leading 
cause of death in the Army; 
Whereas 38 members of the Army died during July 2012, by 
either confirmed or suspected suicide, resulting in the 
highest one-month tally of suicides in recent Army his-
tory; 
Whereas in the United States, on average, 18 veterans are 
lost to suicide every day; 
Whereas the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act 
(Public Law 110–110) was enacted into law in 2007 to 
establish a comprehensive program for suicide prevention 
among veterans; 
Whereas the law created the Veterans Crisis Line, which has 
answered more than 650,000 telephone calls and made 
more than 23,000 life-saving rescues; 
Whereas the stigma associated with mental illness and 
suicidality works against suicide prevention by discour-
aging persons at risk for suicide from seeking life-saving 
help and further traumatizes survivors of suicide; 
Whereas a great many suicides are preventable; and 
Whereas September is National Suicide Prevention and 
Awareness Month: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the goals and ideals of National 
Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month; 
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•HRES 782 IH 
(2) supports the efforts of National Suicide 
Prevention and Awareness Month to raise awareness 
and improve outreach to persons at risk for suicide, 
especially such efforts addressed to veterans and 
members of the Armed Forces; and 
(3) encourages the people of the United States 
to learn more about the warning signs of suicide and 
how each person can help prevent suicide and pro-
mote mental health. 
Æ 
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