OKLAHOMA CITY - In an effort to help reduce the number of teen suicides in Oklahoma, state Rep. Mickey Dollens (D-Oklahoma City) plans to file 2020 legislation that would require middle schools and high schools to print the number for the National Suicide Prevention
Lifeline and the Crisis Text Line on the back of each student’s ID card. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among teens, reports the Center for Disease Control. In the year 2000, suicide claimed the lives of eight out of every 100,000 youths ages 15-19. That number had increased to 11.8 per 100,000 by 2017. Deaths linked to unintentional injuries ranked number one which consists of vehicle accidents, poisonings and drownings, said a 2016 CDC study.
“This legislation isn’t a cure-all to deal with the mental health issues our students face,” Dollens said in a press release. “It is, however, a pragmatic, cost-effective approach that not only makes it easier for young people to connect with trained mental health professionals, but it also reminds them that they are not alone.” During a telephone interview, Dollens added that this measure would only affect the schools who issue student IDs.
“I wanted to make sure I didn’t put any undue mandates on schools’ administration.” Approximately “99% of the schools do issue photo IDs each year. This doesn’t mandate that schools start issuing IDs; it just requires schools that do to include this lifesaving information on the back. It could be very helpful in a very vulnerable moment.” “There’s no fiscal impact,” said Dollens. “I didn’t want to put any unnecessary mandates on schools having to buy new cards, either.”
Verna Foust, president of the Oklahoma Behavioral Health Association stated, “Suicide in young people in Oklahoma is a terrible tragedy. In Oklahoma, we lose an average of two young people each week to suicide. Suicide is a complex behavior with many causes including lack of mental health and substance abuse treatment, bullying, abuse, and feelings of hopelessness and despair. A bill being introduced this session to require public schools to print the National Suicide Prevention Hotline on student ID cards is a great step to help mitigate our teen suicide rates and prevent loss of our young people in Oklahoma.”
Mental Health Association Oklahoma Chief Administrative Officer Wendi Fralick said their organization “is committed to reducing and, ultimately eliminating, death by suicide in our schools. Any and all options that support this commitment deserve the attention of our legislators.” “With suicide the second leading cause of death among youths ages 15 to 24, it is vital to provide readily accessible help to young people in crisis,” said National Alliance on Mental Illness Executive Director James Bost.
“The National Alliance on Mental Illness Oklahoma supports the Student ID bill sponsored by State Representative Dollens to print suicide prevention contact numbers on school student ID cards.” While teen suicide is not a topic many discuss openly, said Dollens, “My hope is that we can get to the point where we talk about it. By being more vocal, we can help people feel less isolated and alone.”Dollens also reiterated that the free, confidential 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has a network
of trained volunteers who help millions of callers each year. While the organization receives federal funding as well as donations from private entities, on any given day, the organization benefits from about 100 Facebook birthday fundraisers, he said. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is (800) 273- 8255. The number for the Crisis Text Line is 741741.