Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 69 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Health to establish and operate a statewide suicide early intervention and prevention program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Suicide Prevention Steering Committee. The Department of Health submitted comments in response to this measure.

Your Committee finds that suicide is the leading cause of injury death in Hawaii. This is a critical public health concern that is preventable with the right educational tools.

The Department of Health has already undertaken efforts to address suicide in Hawaii. A full-time suicide prevention coordinator position has been established. A statewide taskforce has been organized with representatives from key programs and organizations and one survivor. The Department has also organized a Suicide Prevention Steering Committee, ten of whose members were trained at the National Suicide Prevention Resource Center's regional conference, to direct the state task force. Your Committee finds these efforts will be enhanced by the adoption of this resolution.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 69, and recommends its adoption.