Though the disappointment about the COLA not be included in the budget was very impactful, there are several positives in the budget that are consistent with MHANYS agenda.
One of those initiatives is the State’s continued commitment to Suicide Prevention through the Governor’s Suicide Prevention Task Force. We thank the Governor for utilizing resources to help create a statewide response to this major public health issue
Proposal. Strengthen Suicide Prevention Infrastructure through State andLocal Partnerships
In 2017, Governor Cuomo directed the formation of the New York State Suicide Prevention Task Force. As part of his ongoing commitment to reducing the number of New Yorkers who die by suicide each year, he charged the task force with identifying gaps in current programs, services, and policies while simultaneously making recommendations to facilitate greater access, awareness, collaboration and support of effective suicide prevention activities.
Suicide is an enormous public health problem. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.[i] <#_edn1> According to the Centers for Disease Control, from 1999 to 2016, suicide rates in New York State rose by nearly 30 percent, while other leading causes of death such as cancer, heart disease, and motor vehicle accidents all decreased.[ii] Each year nearly 1,700 New Yorkers die by suicide.
Building on the work of the Task Force, the Governor will charge New York State agencies with partnering with communities in five critical areas: innovative public health approaches, healthcare systems, cultural competence in prevention programming, comprehensive crisis care, and surveillance data. Communities that demonstrably strengthen suicide prevention infrastructure will receive a New York State designation.
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[i] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Suicide Rates
Rising Across the U.S. Retrieved from
www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2018/p0607-suicide-prevention.html
[ii] Ibid.
