Suicide is a public health crisis that claims the lives of tens of thousands of Americans every year. In fact, in 2023, there were twice as many suicides in the United States as there were homicides. Suicide claims more and more lives every single year, and it is imperative that we as lawmakers do all that we can to prevent further tragedies.
 
It is for this reason that I will be introducing a resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to study suicide prevention and data collection efforts in this Commonwealth and make recommendations for improving existing prevention and data collection efforts.
 
In 2019, former Governor Wolf established a statewide Suicide Prevention Task Force to develop a four-year strategy to reduce suicide in Pennsylvania and fight the stigma associated with suicide, suicide attempts, and mental health issues. This resolution will evaluate whether we have met the goals set forth by the Task Force and provide the Legislature with recommendations on substantial actions that we can take to further prevent suicides in furtherance of those goals.
 
Please join me in supporting this effort to get one step closer to a world where no family has to suffer the loss of a loved one to suicide.