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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Fiodhna O'Grady, Director of Government Relations at Samaritans of New York
11:27:49
ยท
3 min
Fiodhna O'Grady, representing Samaritans of New York, presented alarming statistics on youth suicide attempts in New York City, highlighting the urgent need for mental health support in schools. She emphasized the disproportionate impact on African American and LGBTQ students and called for continued investment in mental health programs.
- Suicide attempts among NYC high school students increased by 56% from 2021 to 2023, reaching 14% and surpassing the national average by more than 50%.
- African American students in NYC attempted suicide at a rate of 23%, more than double the national average for African American students.
- LGBTQ students in NYC showed particularly concerning trends, with almost 30% attempting suicide in 2023.
- O'Grady stressed the need to address underlying factors contributing to youth suicide, including systemic inequalities and social environment.
Fiodhna O'Grady
11:27:49
Hello there.
11:27:50
Fiona O'Grady here, director of government relations at Samaritans of New York, the suicide prevention center.
11:27:57
New York City's young people are telling us all day long in the starkest terms possible that they need mental health, help.
11:28:06
In 2023, the CDC's biannual youth risk behavioral survey reported that suicide attempts among New York City high schools have come to an all time high with fourteen percent attempting suicide in 2023.
11:28:23
That's an unimaginable fifty six percent increase from 2021 and an all time high since the early two thousands.
11:28:32
That means that New York City Students are attempting suicide at a rate more than 50% higher than the national average in 2023, and the severity of these attempts is escalating.
11:28:44
Between 2123, percentage of students who were seriously injured in a suicide attempt nearly tripled.
11:28:50
Yeah.
11:28:51
I'm done.
11:28:52
I'm sorry?
11:28:55
Am I am I can you hear me?
UNKNOWN
11:28:57
You can continue.
Fiodhna O'Grady
11:28:58
Oh, I'm so sorry.
11:28:59
I heard something.
11:29:00
This crisis is not affecting all students equally.
11:29:03
African American students in New York City attempted suicide at a rate of twenty three percent.
11:29:09
That is one in five, more than double the national average for, African American students nationwide.
11:29:16
Seventeen percent of our of our African American students reported a suicide attempt that resulted in an injury serious enough to require medical attention.
11:29:26
LGBTQ youth, the numbers have increased too.
11:29:29
Among heterosexual students, about half of those who seriously consider suicide go on to attempt it.
11:29:36
But LGBTQ students, that drop off does not exist.
11:29:40
Nearly thirty six percent of our LGBTQ students in New York City seriously considered suicide last year, and almost thirty percent were followed through with an attempt.
11:29:50
We can no longer afford to say that suicide prevention is just a mental health issue.
11:29:55
Suicide is a tragic result of a process in which a person's ability to cope breaks down, leading to intense struggle and crisis.
11:30:05
These crisis don't happen in isolation.
11:30:07
They are shaped by identity, by loss, circumstance, housing stability, food security, social environment, systemic inequalities, factors that can push young people to the edge and rob them of hope.
11:30:22
We cannot just prevent death.
11:30:24
We must create the conditions that allow young people to feel life is worthy, something that DOE does on an annual basis with its myriad mental health programs and we are here to support you and encourage you to continue investment in mental health.
11:30:38
Samaritans appreciate the City Council's continued support of funding for social emotional mental health programs and professionals like staff, students in temporary housing, guidance counselors, social workers
Edward S.
11:30:51
usually only
UNKNOWN
11:30:52
Your time's expired.
11:30:53
Thank you.
Fiodhna O'Grady
11:30:54
Thank you.