HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-20 Letter to Donovan M. Dela Cruz and Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran SB 226, SD 1 Relating to Suicide PreventionHarry Kim
Mayor
County of Hawaii
Office of the Mayor
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
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February 20, 2019
Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Chair
Committee on Ways and Means
Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, Vice Chair
Committee on Ways and Means
Dear Chair Dela Cruz, Vice Chair Kieth-Agaran, and Committee Members:
RE: SB 226, SD1 Relating to Suicide Prevention
SB 226 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 Hawaii County, according to our Hawaii 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.
I hope you will act favorably on SB 226, SD1.
Respectfully Submitted,
Harry Kim
MAYOR
County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.