Schools
Christie Backs Bill to Fight Teen Suicide
Calls for Commissioner of Children and Families to adopt prevention plan within six months.
A bill championed by a pair of Monmouth County representatives that is
aimed at preventing teen suicide was signed into law Tuesday by Gov.
Chris Christie, officials said.
The bill — A-3659 — sponsored by state Assembly members Mary Pat
Angelini and Dave Rible (both R-Monmouth), requires the Commissioner of
Children and Families to develop and adopt a statewide youth suicide-prevention plan within the next six months.
The prevention plan is to be developed in concert with the Department
of Human Services and the New Jersey Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory
Council. Under the bill, the plan will identify, collect and share
data with state and local sources on youth suicide deaths, attempts
and self-inflicted injuries, as well as promote greater public
awareness about youth suicide and prevention resources.
“This legislation will result in a more efficient and effective
program,” Rible said in a release. “Youngsters calling a suicide
lifeline are reaching out for help. In such a desperate situation he
or she should have access to a counselor they can talk to and receive
immediate information regarding New Jersey-specific prevention
services and resources.”
A report by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline showed that from
August 2009 through July 2010, 60 percent of New Jersey’s crisis calls
were answered by Lifeline crisis counselors in other states, primarily
New York and Nebraska, according to the release.
“The real tragedy is there are resources available to these youngsters
who feel hopeless and helpless [so they need to take advantage of them],’’ Angelini said in the release. “While New Jersey currently operates three crisis centers as part of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network, we can and must do better. Education, data sharing and greater public awareness of this
mental health issue is key.”
Rible and Angelini said in the release that the legislation,
introduced in Jan. 2011 and passed both houses in December, was
prompted by a spate of teen suicides around the state.
