Preventing Suicides and Overdoses

Preventing Suicides and Overdoses

Friday, May 6, 2022

Losing a loved one to suicide or overdose is always a tragedy and has a lasting effect on individuals, families and communities. According to the Center for Disease Control, suicide and drug overdose are two of the top leading causes of death in the United States.

In order to help prevent these fatalities in Indiana, the General Assembly passed Senate Enrolled Act 84.

This legislation requires the Indiana Department of Health to produce a report that tracks all suicide or substance abuse related deaths. The report must include:

  • The number of fatalities that occurred in each county;
  • The number of fatalities that occurred during each month;
  •  The age, sex and race of each fatality; and
  • The method of suicide or overdose.

SEA 84 will allow our state to collect better data and help the General Assembly make informed public policy decisions that will combat this issue in a meaningful way.

If you or a loved one are suffering from thoughts of suicide, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

For those struggling with substance abuse, call the Indiana Addiction Hotline at 1-800-622-4357.

Additional resources are available at BeWellIndiana.com and by calling 211.

To learn more about SEA 84 and other legislation passed this session, click here