Res 1097-2019

By Council Members Treyger, Ayala and The Public Advocate (Mr. Williams) Whereas, An increasing number of youth in the United States report struggling with their mental health; and Whereas, Suicide was the second-leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34, according to a 2017 Center for Disease Control and Prevention report; and Whereas, The number of children and teenagers treated in emergency rooms in the United States for suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts nearly doubled between 2007 and 2015, according to a 2019 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association; and Whereas, In New York State, nearly 4,500 youth, ages 0-19, made emergency department visits for self-harm in 2016, according to the New York State Health Connector; and Whereas, Approximately 30% of New York City public high school students report feeling sad or hopeless, and 10% report attempting suicide, with 17% having seriously considered attempting suicide, according to the 2017 New York City Youth Risk Behavior Survey; and Whereas, LGBT youth, particularly LGBT youth of color, experience heightened levels of bullying and discrimination when compared with their heterosexual peers, according to the 2017 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which can increase chances of anxiety, depression, and self-harm; and Whereas, Several states, including Oregon, Utah, and Minnesota, have already enacted laws allowing students to have excused absences for reasons related to mental health; and Whereas, It is time for New York State to treat mental health in public schools with the same seriousness as physical health; and Whereas, S6687 would move New York toward that goal by amending the state's Education Law to allow mental and behavioral health to be excused absences under rules that the Commissioner of Education shall establish; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S6687, legislation to provide that the absence of a minor from school due to mental or behavioral health shall be permitted. LS #11763 & 12038 11/22/2019 5:26 PM M.T.