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House establishes Oregon Youth Suicide Awareness Day on Oct. 9
Summary
House Bill 36 43 designates Oct. 9 each year as Oregon Youth Suicide Awareness Day; sponsors said the day will educate communities, reduce stigma and promote early intervention.
The Oregon House passed House Bill 36 43 on April 9, designating October 9 of each year as Oregon Youth Suicide Awareness Day. Representative Pam Elmer carried the bill on the floor, saying the measure is “born out of heartbreak and out of hope” and framed it as a tool to educate communities and connect young people to professional mental health support.
Sponsor's intent and context: Representative Elmer said suicide is the second leading cause of death for Oregonians ages 10 to 24 and cited data on youth despair and local loss, noting the day was chosen to honor a 15-year-old from McMinnville whose death motivated local advocacy. “Oregon youth suicide awareness day will serve as an annual opportunity to educate our communities, recognize the warning signs, reduce stigma, and connect young people to professional mental health support,” Elmer said, adding the day is meant to tell young people “you matter. You are not alone.”
Floor reaction: Representative Graber described the measure as transcending partisan lines and spoke from personal grief about the toll of suicide in families. Floor discussion emphasized destigmatizing conversation, supporting families, and encouraging early intervention.
Outcome: House Bill 36 43 was declared passed after receiving the constitutional majority on third reading. The bill includes an emergency clause and takes effect on passage.
