New Jersey Seeks to Reduce Teen Suicide Rates Through Bill

TRENTON, NJ – As difficult as the conversation may be, New Jersey lawmakers are looking for new tools to prevent teen suicides.

That’s exactly what a new bill, sponsored in part by Rep. Benjie Wimberly, aims to do.

“The important thing, unfortunately, is to eliminate the stigma that you can't talk about suicide,” said Wimberly (D-NJ 35^th District). “The mental health aspect is essential for us to determine what are the best practices and what are the best studies to prevent suicide.”

If the law passes, each hospital in New Jersey would be required to create an annual report on the number of suicides and attempted suicides and suicides involving minors in which a drug is used. Hospitals would be required to provide demographic information and the medication used.

The reports would be sent to the New Jersey Poison Control Center at Rutgers, which would then submit a report to the governor's office and the Legislature.

“Unfortunately, it remains taboo, especially in many minority communities,” Wimberly said. “No one wants to talk about someone attempting suicide or considering suicide or having those discussions.”

According to the CDC, suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24.

“We have unfortunately seen an increase in youth suicides and attempts over the years,” Wimberly said.

Working with Rep. Herb Conaway on the bill, Wimberly says the data compiled from these reports would provide lawmakers with information they didn't have before.

“This bill is really aimed at adolescents and will hopefully help with prevention, knowing what triggers it, what the medication is, what the demographic is most at risk when it comes to suicide attempts,” Wimberly said. , “so all of those things will definitely work in our favor in terms of prevention.”

The bill is expected to be discussed in committee on Thursday.