HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-11 Letter to John M. Mizuno HB 330 Relating to Suicide Prevention
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
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KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy., Bldg C Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740
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County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
February 11, 2019
Representative John M. Mizuno Chair
Committee on Health
Dear Chair Mizuno and Committee Members:
RE: HB 330 Relating to Suicide Prevention
HB 330 sent me to Google to better understand the need for youth suicide early intervention,
prevention, and education programs. The statistics are enough to explain the importance of this bill.
Suicide deaths in Hawaiʻi County, according to our Hawaiʻi State Department of Health,
average 20.4 deaths per 100,000 population, compared to a national average of about 13 deaths per
100,000. When it comes to youth age 15-19, the number is even higher—26.4 per 100,000; and for
young adults aged 20-24, higher still—37.9 per 100,000.
Every one of these deaths is preventable, and if we have the expertise to offer programs that
can reach these young people and suggest different paths forward for them, it seems we owe it to
them, and to their families, friends, and loved ones, to make the effort. In fact, we owe it to ourselves
as a just and caring society.
I hope you will act favorably on HB 330.
Respectfully Submitted,
Harry Kim
MAYOR