Expressing support for the designation of "National Stop SuiSilence Day".

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 551 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 551

 Expressing support for the designation of ``National Stop SuiSilence 
                                 Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 26, 2025

   Mr. Luttrell (for himself and Mr. Correa) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and 
                           Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing support for the designation of ``National Stop SuiSilence 
                                 Day''.

Whereas two congressional resolutions, S. Res. 84 and H. Res. 212 of the 105th 
        Congress, have recognized suicide as a national problem and suicide 
        prevention as a national priority;
Whereas, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, suicide is a leading 
        cause of death in the military community;
Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide 
        ranks among the leading causes of death in the United States, with over 
        45,000 lives lost each year;
Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each of 
        these deaths leaves behind an estimated 135 people who are profoundly 
        affected by the death, including family members, friends, and 
        colleagues;
Whereas, according to a report published by the Department of Veterans Affairs 
        in 2016, which analyzed 55,000,000 veterans' records from 1979 to 2014, 
        an average of 20 veterans die from suicide per day, and a more recent 
        report showed, using age-adjusted statistics, that 17 to 18 veterans die 
        from suicide per day;
Whereas a study released by America's Warrior Partnership in 2022 found that as 
        many as 44 veterans die on average per day from suicide when accounting 
        for overlooked causes of death that are aligned with suicidal and self-
        harm behavior, which is 2.4 times greater than the official estimate 
        according to reports in the Military Times;
Whereas, according to a 2024 report issued by the Department of Health and Human 
        Services, 1 death by suicide occurs every 11 minutes;
Whereas, according to the National Institutes of Health, learning about 
        behaviors that may be a sign that someone is thinking about suicide, and 
        knowing the warning signs for suicide and how to get help, can help save 
        lives;
Whereas, according to the National Institutes of Health, talking about wanting 
        to die, showing great guilt or shame, and talking about being a burden 
        to others are key indicators that someone is at risk for suicide;
Whereas, according to the National Institutes of Health, feeling empty, 
        hopeless, trapped, extremely sad, more anxious, agitated, full of rage, 
        and having no reason to live due to unbearable emotional or physical 
        pain are key indicators that someone is at risk for suicide;
Whereas, according to the National Institutes of Health, exhibiting changes in 
        behavior (such as making a plan or researching ways to die, withdrawing 
        from friends, saying goodbye, giving away important items, making a 
        will, taking dangerous risks such as driving extremely fast, displaying 
        extreme mood swings, eating or sleeping more or less, and using drugs or 
        alcohol more often) are key indicators that someone is at risk of 
        completing a suicide;
Whereas, according to the National Institutes of Health, suicide is complicated 
        and tragic but is also often preventable;
Whereas, according to the National Institutes of Health, research suggests that 
        acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce suicidal thoughts;
Whereas feelings of strong connections to individuals, family, community, and 
        social institutions can prevent the completion of a suicide;
Whereas one person has the ability to save someone's life from suicide and can 
        prevent a tragic change in the lives of an estimated 135 people who 
        would otherwise be profoundly affected by the suicide;
Whereas one community can save innumerable lives from suicide;
Whereas acknowledgment of, discussion of, and engagement in the topic of suicide 
        by individuals, communities, and government must be encouraged in order 
        to end the stigma, stop the contagion, and reach a resolution to this 
        public health crisis; and
Whereas September 25th occurs during Suicide Prevention Month and would be an 
        appropriate date to designate as ``National Stop SuiSilence Day'': Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of ``National Stop SuiSilence 
        Day'';
            (2) recognizes the importance of a ``National Stop 
        SuiSilence Day'', a day dedicated to engaging, educating, and 
        activating individuals, communities, and government on the 
        topic of suicide; and
            (3) regards ``National Stop SuiSilence Day'' as a critical 
        step in preventing suicides.
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