Teen Suicide Prevention Bill Signed By Christie

A bill aimed at preventing teen suicide was signed into law Tuesday by Gov.
Chris Christie, officials said.

The bill -- A-3659 -- 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.

 sponsored by state Assembly members Mary Pat
Angelini and Dave Rible, both R-Monmouth,

“This legislation will result in a more efficient and effective
program,” said state Assemblyman Dave Rible who sponsored the bill along with Mary Pat Angelina (both R-Monmouth) 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 he or she 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,’’ 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.