The Metropolis Sentinel, Employees Report
OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Democratic Chief Kay Floyd plans to review youth suicide throughout the interim as suicide charges throughout the state proceed to skyrocket.
Senate President Professional Tempore Greg Deal with, R-Oklahoma Metropolis, accepted the three examine requests earlier this month.
“Statistically talking, we’re seeing a drastic rise in youth suicide charges in Oklahoma throughout all zip codes,” mentioned Floyd, D-Oklahoma Metropolis.
“It’s crucial that we take a deep dive into the problems inflicting youth suicide, what applications are in place to fight it, and what we are able to do legislatively to enhance outcomes sooner or later.”
Floyd mentioned every Interim examine will take an overarching take a look at the issue from a distinct lens, so all sides of the difficulty are adequately understood.
The research she is guiding will embrace:
- A overview of statistical information involving instances of youth suicide, together with race, gender, geographic and financial stability, in addition to the private and non-private initiatives at present in place to scale back youth suicide.
- A take a look at the highest classes of kid demise within the state as reported by the Youngster Dying Assessment Board. Discussions will heart on how coverage adjustments might assist cut back completely different causes of demise.
- Evaluation of the numerous progress of pediatric suicide deaths and hospitalizations for the reason that onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the way the state can higher reply to this disaster. This examine might be held collectively with Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma Metropolis.
“In line with the Facilities for Illness Management (CDC), Oklahoma’s suicide charge ranks considerably larger than the nationwide common,” Floyd mentioned.
“It’s clear now we have a psychological well being disaster in our state, and we should do all the pieces in our energy to carry this challenge to mild and work collectively to search out options to this escalating drawback.”
The research had been assigned to the Senate Well being and Human Companies Committee and now await scheduling by the committee chairman.
