Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Stakeholders throughout Utah joined forces Wednesday to tackle what Gov. Gary Herbert said is a "tender and difficult" issue that is quickly getting out of hand.
"We need to talk about it. We need to see if we can do something about it," Herbert said, referring to a growing surge in suicide, particularly among Utah teens. He said suicide has quickly become the leading cause of death for young people and it is past time to change that.
The Teen Suicide Prevention Task Force, announced Wednesday, is comprised of representatives from local churches and businesses, education and health care, as well as groups already working to prevent suicides. They are asked to meet and determine a game plan and report back to Herbert by Feb. 15.
Their proposal will be taken to lawmakers to consider legislative action.
"It's going to take all of us," Herbert said.
Beyond the special committee's efforts, Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy, encouraged parents to bond and spend quality time with their teens, and also reminded people to lock up their guns and firearms, which he said contributed to more than half of all teen suicides last year.
Spike in suicides
Report: Utah youth suicides jump 141 percent
Researchers studying a spike in teen suicides in Utah found that 18 of the 150 youngsters who took their own lives in a five-year period had recently lost privileges to use their electronic devices such as phones, tablets and gaming systems, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report made public Thursday."There isn't anything worse, other than the deed itself, than worrying about whether a family member is on the verge of committing suicide or what you can do to help them," said Gail Miller, who heads the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies. She said everyone knows someone who has been affected and can take the issue personally.
"There are ways to help," she said. "Our future is at risk and we need to do what we can to help."
Eliason said he will also introduce a bill during the upcoming session that will create a fund to back projects that work — a place for public and private donations to go to make the biggest difference.
