By Bob Katzen

The Senate 39-0, approved an amendment increasing funding by $350,000 (from $4,469,372 to $4,819,372) for suicide prevention.

“One of my top priorities this session is mental health and suicide prevention, and this amendment ensures that key programs are maintained to provide much-needed services,” said the amendment’s sponsor Sen. Barry Finegold (D-Andover). “We’re facing an epidemic of teen suicide across the country. While teen drunk driving and teen pregnancy rates are way down, suicide rates for teen girls have doubled in recent years, and suicide rates for teen boys have increased by more than 30 percent. This funding, paired with my legislative agenda this session, would look out for our most vulnerable young people and give them the resources they need.”