HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-03-11 Letter to Rosalyn H. Baker and Stanley Chang HB 330, HD1 Relating to Suicide Prevention
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
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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
March 11, 2019
Senator Rosalyn H. Baker, Chair
Senator Stanley Chang, Vice Chair
Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health
Dear Chair Baker, Vice Chair Chang, and Committee Members:
RE: HB 330, HD1 Relating to Suicide Prevention
HB 330, HD1 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.
My understanding is that statistics for Kauai and Maui are similarly disturbing.
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, HD1. I also note that the Senate companion bill, SB 226, was
amended in the Senate to include Maui in addition to Hawaiʻi County and Kauai, and we think that is certainly
appropriate.
Respectfully Submitted,
Harry Kim
MAYOR