Sending Office: Honorable Raul M. Grijalva
Sent By:
Naomi.Miguel@mail.house.gov
Supported by: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, National Council of Urban Indian Health, Association on American Indian Affairs, Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health, Pueblo of Zuni in New
Mexico, Association for Behavioral Healthcare, Alaska Native Health Board, Tanana Chiefs Conference, National Indian Health Board
Cosponsors (50): Blumenauer, Cardenas, Clarke, Cole, Cook, Crist, Davids, DeLauro, Dingell, Doggett, Fitzpatrick, Gallagher, Gallego, Gosar, Haaland, Harder, Hastings, Heck, Hill, Horn, Huffman, Jayapal, Katko, Khanna, Kildee,
Kind, Kirkpatrick, Larsen, Lieu, Lujan, McCollum, McMorris, Meng, Moore, Morelle, Mullin, Napolitano, Norton, O’Halleran, Pingree, Radewagen, Serrano, Soto, Stanton, Tonko, Torres, Torres Small, Veasey, Velazquez, Wild
Dear Colleague,
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 10-34 year old Native American and Alaskan Natives [AI/AN], and for ages 15- 34, it is 1.5 times higher than the national average for that age group.[1] Please
join us in cosponsoring the
H.R. 1191 – Native American Suicide Prevention Act to help put an end to this public health crisis.
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to ensure a state, or state-designated eligible entity, collaborates with Native American Tribes and tribal entities in the crafting and implementation of state-wide suicide intervention and prevention strategies.
This common-sense legislation would not cost anything and would not add to the deficit in any way. By simply providing tribal governments and health organizations a greater voice in the suicide prevention process, we will begin to see more effective interventions
that will save lives both on and off the reservation.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the greatest suicide rates among young adults ages 18-24, among all racial/ethnic groups, were observed among AI/AN between 2012 to 2013. [2] In
fact, the suicide rate was highest in the AI/AN population for both males and females where males were more than twice as likely to commit suicide as other gender and racial and ethnic subgroups.2 It is important to note that AI/AN suicide rates are 30% underreported,
so the real picture could be even grimmer.[3]
With such great disparity existing, urgent action must be taken.
To cosponsor this bill, or for additional information, please contact: Naomi.Miguel@mail.house.gov
Sincerely,
/s /s
Raul M. Grijalva Tom Cole
Member of Congress Member of Congress
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suicide Facts at a Glance 2015. Racial and Ethnic Disparities. CDC online database. 2017. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/suicide-datasheet-a.pdf.
[2] National Center for Health Statistics. Racial and Gender Disparities in Suicide Among Young Adults Aged 18–24: United States, 2009–2013. CDC online database. 2017.
Available from:
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hestat/suicide/racial_and_gender_2009_2013.htm.
[3] HHS, IHS, SAMHSA. Behavioral Health among American Indian and Alaska Natives: an Overview. Congressional Research Service. 2017. www.crs.gov.
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