119-hres551

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

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

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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