The Antelope Valley Times

Your community. Your issues. Your news.

  • Home
  • Latest News
  • Local
    • Palmdale
    • Lancaster
    • Los Angeles County
    • Littlerock
    • Lake Los Angeles
    • Rosamond
    • Edwards AFB
    • Acton
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Advertise
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Show Search

LGBTQ youth suicide prevention bill heads to California State Senate

by The AV Times Staff • May 12, 2019

Assemblyman Tom Lackey

SACRAMENTO- The California State Assembly unanimously passed Assemblymember Tom Lackey’s (R-Palmdale) legislation to expand suicide prevention centers for LGBTQ youth.

California’s suicide rate is rising, and people in many parts of the state do not have the mental health support they need. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is one of the top three causes of death among children and young adults. In 2018, nearly 4,300 people took their own lives in California. This is a 50% increase since 2001.

The Trevor Project, a leading LGBTQ suicide prevention organization and strong supporter of the bill, AB 984, disclosed that LGBTQ youth are five times more likely to attempt suicide than non-LGBTQ youth.

AB 984 address this issue by allowing people to fund anti-suicide programs for youth (especially LGBTQ youth who are high-risk) in underserved areas by simply checking a box on their tax returns. The collected funds will then be used as grant funds to finance more mental health support services in underserved areas.

“For me this issue is singular—it is about saving lives. We must ensure mental health services are available to everyone, especially populations who suffer from higher-than-average suicide rates, regardless of their location,” said Lackey.

AB 984 is now headed to the California State Senate.

[Information via news release from the office of Assemblymember Tom Lackey.]

–

Filed Under: Home, Politics

Recent Comments

  • Anne on California lifts stay-at-home orders: “You should really do your own research. There are now thousands of doctors, days analysts and scientists all over the…” Jan 27, 00:34
  • Beecee on Dozens of missing kids recovered in joint L.A. County-based operation: “Accused rapist… Tara Reid ring a bell” Jan 26, 20:49
  • Matt on Dozens of missing kids recovered in joint L.A. County-based operation: “Better than the p@$$% grabber Trump. You are really going there Beecee with Trumps past history. I’ll take creepy over…” Jan 26, 20:20
  • david on L.A. County Supervisors hear options for removing sheriff: “The only thing thats unconstitutional here is this witch hunt leftist take over. And the sheriff isnt budging to the…” Jan 26, 20:17
  • Henry on Op-ed: Protect nurses and the community now: “The only tyranneous coward is the phoney who lives in Laguna and parades around as mayor of Lancaster.” Jan 26, 19:25

© 2021 · The Antelope Valley Times. All rights reserved. Terms of Use