Designates calendar week that includes September 10th of each year as "Suicide Prevention Week" in NJ.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Carter and 1 co-sponsor

Designates the calendar week containing September 10 each year in New Jersey as Suicide Prevention Week to raise awareness and promote mental health resources.

Summary of AJR 189 (Session 222, New Jersey)

Main purpose and intent

AJR 189 designates the calendar week that includes September 10th of each year as “Suicide Prevention Week” in New Jersey. The resolution expresses the legislature’s intent to raise awareness about suicide prevention, promote mental health resources, and encourage statewide recognition and education during the designated week.

Key provisions and changes

Designation: Establishes a statewide designation of Suicide Prevention Week for the calendar week that contains September 10th annually.

Nature of designation: Non-binding and symbolic, but serves to focus public attention on suicide prevention efforts, mental health resources, and related educational activities.

Acknowledgment and actions: The resolution typically invites state agencies, schools, community organizations, health care providers, and the public to observe and support activities that promote awareness, prevention, and timely intervention, though it may not mandate specific programs or funding.

Sponsorship: Additional co-sponsors include Linda Carter and Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, indicating bipartisan and structured legislative support.

Who or what is affected

General public: Encourages public awareness and participation in Suicide Prevention Week.

State entities: Potential encouragement for state agencies, schools, health systems, and community organizations to recognize the week and implement or promote suicide prevention and mental health awareness initiatives.

No new funding or regulatory requirements: The resolution, as a ceremonial measure, typically does not create new expenditures, mandates, or administrative rules.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: A concurrent or joint resolution, serving as formal expression of the Legislature rather than a law with enforceable requirements.

Timing: Effective for the designation of the specific calendar week that includes September 10 each year, aligning annual observances with Suicide Prevention Week.

Legislative path: Requires passage by both chambers (Senate and General Assembly) and signature by the governor to become an official designation; otherwise, it remains a commemorative resolution.

Potential impact and considerations

Awareness and education: Helps standardize or encourage annual community and institutional focus on suicide prevention, encouraging discussion, training, and resource dissemination.

Resource visibility: May prompt schools, employers, and healthcare providers to highlight helplines, crisis services, and local prevention programs during the designated week.

Limitations: As a designation, it does not create new programs, funding streams, or regulatory mandates.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to similar designations in other states or draft a one-page explainer for schools and community groups on how to observe Suicide Prevention Week effectively.