Bill to Reduce Youth Suicide

Rep. Hampton Testifies in Support of Bill to Reduce Youth Suicide

State Representative John K. Hampton (D-Simsbury) testified in support of HB-6276, An Act Concerning Training for Health Care Professionals in Youth Suicide Prevention in the legislature’s Public Health committee public hearing earlier this month. Rep. Hampton co-introduced the bill, which requires training for health care professionals, in his role as Vice Chair of the Committee on Children.

“The most current effective suicide prevention programs equip mental health professionals and other community educators and leaders with sufficient resources to recognize who is at risk and who has access to mental health care. I believe that we need to expand this to all health professionals and community leaders,” said Rep. Hampton. “Depression and emotional distress are two of the major signs that suicidal people exhibit and 300,000 out of the 1 million teenagers who committed suicide in 2003 were being treated.”

The legislation would require professional counselors, alcohol and drug counselors, marital and family therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, clinical social workers and master social workers to complete 3-6 hours of training every six years in youth suicide prevention. And additionally would require physicians, physician assistants, chiropractors, naturopaths, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, physical therapists and physical therapist assistants to undergo a one-time, 3-6 hour training course in youth suicide prevention.

“Suicide is the eight-leading cause of death in the U.S and the third-leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 15 and 24 years old,” said Rep. Hampton. “The National Alliance of Mental Illness warns us not to automatically assume that someone who was considering suicide and is now in treatment or tells you that they are feeling better have actually improved. Teenagers who have followed through with committing suicide do so just as they seem to be getting healthier.”

According to the state Department of Mental Health Addiction Service, studies show that 83% of individuals who died by suicide had visited their Primary Care Provider within 12 months prior, 20% within a day of their death, and 58% of older adults age 55+ within a month of their death. In addition, 66% of individuals were not in mental health treatment at the time of their death.

Rep. Hampton is in his second term serving the 16th House District in Simsbury
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