Legislature: Step up the fight against teen suicide

Colorado lawmakers voted at the State Capitol to delve deeper into teen suicide, with the House Education Committee unanimously passing a resolution calling for a study of the issue.

DENVER (Colorado News Agency) January 24, 2012 -- Lawmakers voted Monday at the Capitol to delve deeper into teen suicide, with the House Education Committee unanimously passing a resolution calling for a study of the issue.

The bipartisan House Joint Resolution 1004, sponsored by Reps. Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs, and Andy Kerr, D-Lakewood, in the House and Sens. Ellen Roberts, R-Durango, and Michael Johnston, D-Denver, in the Senate, directs the Colorado Youth Advisory Council to study preventative measures regarding teen suicide and to report its findings to the legislature.

Citing statistics indicating that one out of every five teenagers in Colorado has considered suicide, Massey said nothing else could be more important than tackling the issue.

“If there’s anything we can do to stem this tide, it’s of paramount importance that we do whatever we can,” said Massey.

Kerr, a teacher, said he has seen the devastation teen suicide has bestowed on his school district in Jefferson County.

“I know personally that my community has been heavily impacted by teen suicide,” said Kerr. “Whatever we can do to prevent it from happening and raise awareness in our communities is critical.”

Driving the issue home, University of Denver student Thomas Tarler, who has struggled with depression throughout high school and his young adult life, said current approaches need to be augmented with a more direct approach.

“To say that there is a hotline to call, that does nothing,” said Tarler. “We need a more proactive approach. This should be the highest priority in Colorado. Suicide affects every teenager.”

The resolution is now headed for consideration by the full House before it heads to the Senate.