Victims' Services Task Force Events and Announcments

National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline

April 28, 2009 – Family Violence Task Force

April 28, 2009 – Austin Suicide Prevention Coalition

Location:
Advocacy Inc.
7800 Shoal Creek, Suite 171-E 
Austin TX 78757
(located just behind Suzi's China Grill, and use entrance to center of building.)

Topic: Means Used for Death by Suicide in Texas -- Trends, Age Groups & Policy Implications

Speaker: John Hellsten, PhD, epidemiologist, Tx Department of State Health Services

Discussion by Merily Keller: This topic is of particular interest since a bill introduced in the current legislative session (H.B. 1893 and S.B. 1164) would enable Texans with a license to carry gun permit to carry guns on college campuses.  A number of colleges and groups testified against the bill at the House Public Health Committee Hearing last week citing statistics related to the high rate of deaths by suicide for college-age students and concern that more guns on campus would mean easier access to the means of death by suicide for this vulnerable group.  Those testifying for the bill argued that it addressed a public safety issue and that it would only apply to college students over the age of 21 since those under that age could not get a license to carry gun permit.  With the ensuing debate, we realized that more info! rmation and public education is needed regarding statistics on the means to death by suicide in Texas with particular attention to trends by age group for different means.

June 10, 2009 – American Gateways Fire and Ice Gala