Martha Dickey

My name is Martha Dickey and I am a two time suicide loss survivor. Today I write in opposition to HB1635. To say I was stunned to see this is an understatement. I worked with so many others just a few short years ago to pass SB282, in 2019, which finally required training for faculty, staff and volunteers. Since then I have heard so many wonderful and encouraging stories of how this training has helped. Why anyone would come forward now to try and change that is beyond me. Perhaps they have been fortunate to not have been impacted by a suicide loss, or to have a loved one experience a mental health crisis but that’s not the reality. It is imperative and life saving that our school staff and faculty are trained annually to be aware of how to help a student in crisis. I would be more than happy to share my story of losing my son Jason at age 19 as well as my brother. Not to mention so many others young people in the community. Please say no to this and stop this ridiculous attempt to roll back something that is so desperately needed. Thank you.