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Mr. Schmerelson - Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month (Res-002-25/26) (Noticed August 26, 2025)
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Whereas, Suicide loss profoundly impacts families, friends, teachers, and the entire school community, and providing comprehensive support to survivors is essential for healing and preventing future tragedies;
Whereas, In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) indicated that 42% of high school students in America experience persistent sadness or hopelessness every day for two straight weeks in a row with these numbers being high amongst females (57%), Hispanics (46%), multiracial (49%), and LGBTQ+ (69%);
Whereas, The same report from the CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System indicated that 29% of high school students in America experience poor mental health, with these numbers being especially high amongst females (41%) and LGBTQ+ (52%);
Whereas, The same report from the CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System indicated that 22% of high school students seriously considered suicide in 2021, with the highest demographic being LGBTQ+ students (45%);
Whereas, In 2023, the CDC identified suicide as one of the top eight leading causes of death for people ages 10 to 64 and the second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 34;
Whereas, Factors such as discrimination, adverse childhood experiences, stigma, familial and community rejection, mental illness, social networks, and other factors that compromise life functioning may result in elevated suicide risk, particularly for vulnerable student populations;
Whereas, In September 2016, Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill (AB) 2246, now California Education Code 215, that took effect in 2017-18, setting a requirement for all Local Educational Agencies (LEA), including county offices of education, school districts, state special schools and charter schools that serve pupils in grades 7 to 12 to adop...
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