The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Source:
Posted: Tuesday, January 01, 2019 02:35 PM
East Tn Senator Behind Approved Legislation Establishing Tennessee Suicide Mortality Data Review Base
The Suicide Prevention Act of 2018, sponsored by the committee chairman Senator Rusty Crowe of Johnson City, Tenn., aims to gather suicide data identifying causes and factors to utilize suicide prevention resources in the most effective way.
“Almost twice as many people die by suicide than by homicide in Tennessee,” Sen. Crowe said. “On any given day, three people in Tennessee die by suicide and the rates have increased steadily over the past three years. This legislation brings together the state’s foremost experts to analyze important data regarding these deaths so that we have the best plan of action to reduce suicides in Tennessee.”
According to a press release from Senator Crowe, there were 1,110 suicide dates in 2016, the highest number recorded in more than 35 years. Comparatively, 2014 had 945 and 2015 had 1,065.
“These numbers are very alarming,” Sen. Crowe added. “If not for the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN) and the limited number of staff and the work of the Advisory Council, which is appointed by the Governor, all of the statewide Volunteers and partners, these numbers would be much higher,” he continued.
Under the new legislation, the team would consist of a physician and nurse appointed by the Commissioner of Health, as well as others from the Departments of Health and Mental Health, along with the chairs of the health committees in the Senate and House of Representatives.
The group would make recommendations to change any state law or policy that would help prevent suicide deaths or make improvements to the way suicides are investigated and/or reported. The recommendations would be made to the health committees by January 2020.