Extending Help When They Most Need It . . .

New Jersey Governor Christie has signed the “Madison Holleran Suicide Prevention Act,” legislation sponsored by Senator Kevin O’Toole (R-40) to prevent suicide on college campuses. The law, S-557, would provide students with greater access to professionals and services designed to aid college students in crisis. Gov. Christie signed Sen. Kevin O’Toole’s “Madison Holleran Suicide Prevention Act.” to prevent suicide on college campuses. (In Memory of Madison Holleran/Facebook) “Although we cannot erase the pain of losing a child to suicide, we can prevent the future loss of life by providing college students who are struggling right now with access to lifesaving support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Senator O’Toole said. “That is why we worked for years to pass the Madison Holleran Suicide Prevention Act. I am truly grateful to the Holleran family for their invaluable input and to Governor Christie for recognizing the critical need for this legislation.” The “Madison Holleran Suicide Prevention Act” (S-557) calls for health care professionals, with training in mental health and reducing suicides, to be available 24 hours a day remotely or on college campuses to assist students in crises. Students must receive information about these resources via electronic mail, no later than 15 days following the beginning of each semester. Suicide is the second-most common cause of death among college students, accounting for more deaths than all medical illnesses combined. In New Jersey, 72 percent of youth suicides were committed by college-age young adults, according to the most recent data available. The law is named after Madison Holleran, a Bergen County Native who committed suicide while attending the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia. Related Facebook Post: https://www.facebook.com/kevinotoolenj/posts/10154438655679901 Related Tweet: https://twitter.com/kevinjotoole/status/760171764915707904 Website Post: http://www.senatenj.com/index.php/otoole/now-law-otooles-madison-holleran-suicide-prevention-act/27899