CA Suicide Prevention Bill Heads to Governor's Desk

The following was submitted for publication by the office of Assemblymember Marc Levine, who represents the 10th Assembly District, which includes Marin County and southern Sonoma County:

Tuesday, with a bipartisan 56-13 vote, the Assembly approved AB 2198 by Assemblymember Marc Levine (D-San Rafael) to assure that psychologists, therapists, social workers, and counselors are trained to assess, treat, and refer suicidal individuals. The bill now goes to Governor Brown for his consideration.

“This legislation will save lives,” said Levine. “AB 2198 is based on the recommendations of experts in suicide prevention. When mental health professionals are trained to detect and treat suicidal patients and clients, they will be better prepared to deal with these difficult situations. This bill will reduce the number of suicides in California.”

Over the last decade suicide rates in California have increased. In 2012, the most recent year in which data is available, there were nearly 4,000 suicide deaths -- the highest number in the previous 20 years. Among Californians age 10-65, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death.

Almost 45% of those who die by suicide have seen a mental health professional in the year prior to their deaths, with about 20 percent having seen such a professional in the month prior to their deaths.

“AB 2198 will address the training gap within the mental health professionals community in California. This bill will finally provide the skills and training needed to reduce suicide among this vulnerable population,” said Gordon Doughty, Co-Chair of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention-California Public Policy Committee. “We encourage the Governor to codify requirements for mental health practitioners.”“More knowledge never hurt anyone, but too little could,” said, Psychologist Kita S. Curry, President and CEO of Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services in Los Angeles.

“Suicide takes the lives of about twice as many Californians as homicide. It is the third leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds. Mental health professionals cannot become licensed without training in aging, spousal and child abuse, ethics and substance use. It’s time we added suicide to that list.”

“With Californians experiencing an increase in suicides --the most recent years having the highest deaths-- immediate action is needed,” said Victor Ojakian, a tireless advocate for California suicide prevention. “Approval of suicide assessment, treatment, and management training for mental health professionals provides a critical solution.”

“AB 2198 is a critical bill to help reduce the number of suicides in California,” said Abbe Land, Executive Director & CEO of the Trevor Project. “By requiring this type of training mental health professionals will be more effectively equipped to consistently identify and provide assistance to high-risk individuals who come to them for help.” The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people.

“AB 2198 will make the difference between life and death for some patients. In this case, time is not money, it is lives,” said Craig Lomax, a parent advocate for suicide prevention. “We cannot afford to wait for these professions to gradually admit to insufficient training and make adjustments. Although nothing will make up for the loss of our precious daughter, Linnea, we are glad that her story will save lives through this legislation. We are confident that Governor Brown will recognize how crucial this life or death change is. With a stroke of a pen he will be rescuing lives and leading California into a more effective era in suicide prevention”

“California’s county behavioral health directors support AB 2198 because it can save lives. Assuring that mental health professionals are well-versed in suicide assessment, treatment, and management will help prevent what is a human tragedy and a vast public health problem,” said Robert E. Oakes, executive director of the California Mental Health Directors Association.

Washington and Kentucky have passed similar legislation. AB 2198 will apply to psychologists, marriage and family therapists, education psychologists, clinical social workers, and clinical counselors. The “National Strategy for Suicide Prevention” recommends this type of training.

The Governor has until September 30th to act on this legislation.

(Image via Shutterstock)