On Wednesday, Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger), along with principal co-author Assemblymember Marc Levine (D-San Rafael) and co-author Sen. Jim Beall (D-San Jose), introduced SB 331, legislation that emphasizes a more proactive approach on preventing suicides. The bill will require that all California counties develop a suicide prevention plan while focusing on the staggering rise in deaths among adolescents.

“In the last ten years, California has experienced an overall rise in deaths by suicide. For every 100,000 adolescent between the ages of 15 and 24, we’re seeing that counties like Kern and Tulare are encountering some of the highest suicide rates,” said Sen. Hurtado. “Growing up in Sanger, I saw firsthand how this issue negatively impacts not only families but the future of our communities.  SB 331 will ensure that we’re taking every step to prioritize mental health on a local level,” continued Senator Hurtado. Read more