WHEREAS, Suicide is a serious and tragic public health problem that is growing in the United States that can be prevented through increased awareness, resources, and proper treatment; and

WHEREAS, Suicide affects all Americans, but data shows that our military, veteran, and construction industry personnel in California and the nation die by suicide at much higher rates than other populations; and

WHEREAS, According to the United States Department of Defense, the military services reported the following for all of 2016: 275 deaths by suicide for active military members; 203 deaths by suicide for military reserve members; and 123 deaths by suicide for members of the National Guard; and

WHEREAS, According to a recent study by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the suicide rate among working-age males, notably those between 16 and 64 years of age, increased 34 percent during the 2000 to 2016, inclusive, timeframe, and that the occupational group with the highest male suicide rate is construction and extraction; and

WHEREAS, This resolution endeavors to promote awareness of the problem of suicide and the particular epidemic facing the men and women within California’s military, veteran, and construction industry populations and encourages our communities and the people of the State of California to work together to continue to educate the public on how to recognize the warning signs and improve the outreach to, and treatment of, these individuals at risk for suicide; now, therefore, be it