Assemblymember Mary Hayashi Receives Suicide Prevention Public Policy Award

The American Association of Suicidology will honor Assemblymember Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward) with the Public Policy Award at its 42nd Annual Conference on April 18, 2009. The award honors the efforts of state and national leaders to address the problem of suicide in the United States.



"Assemblymember Hayashi is receiving this year's award because of her role in establishing the California State Office for Suicide Prevention and for her consistent support for suicide prevention efforts in the State of California," said Peter Gutierrez, Ph.D., President of AAS. "We are pleased to recognize the work she has done to support suicide prevention through both her personal and legislative roles."



"I am deeply honored to receive this award from such a respected leader in suicide prevention research," stated Assemblymember Mary Hayashi. "The efforts of the American Association of Suicidology are vital in helping families to cope with loss and grief, and encourages them to become involved in suicide prevention efforts. Through research and information sharing, we know that suicide is more than a personal tragedy, it is a public health crisis and one that can be addressed through public action and policy change."



Assemblymember Hayashi's commitment to addressing mental health issues is driven largely in part by her own personal childhood experience of losing her older sister to suicide. Her story of this journey in becoming a national voice on suicide prevention and other health care issues is detailed in her book, Far From Home: Shattering the Myth of the Model Minority. Among her many achievements, Assemblymember Hayashi worked on the successful campaign to pass Proposition 63, a ground-breaking measure that has raised billions of dollars in new mental health funding. She also serves as a commissioner on the measure's Mental Health Oversight and Accountability Commission.



The American Association of Suicidology Public Policy Award is given only when a local, state, or national elected official is nominated and found to meet the award's criteria, so it is not given every year. Previous award-winners include U.S. Senator Harry Reid of Nevada.



Assemblymember Hayashi serves the 18th Assembly District, which includes San Leandro, Hayward, Dublin, most of Castro Valley and Pleasanton, and a portion of Oakland, as well as the unincorporated areas of Ashland, Cherryland, San Lorenzo and Sunol.

Source
American Association of Suicidology