The Robin Williams Memorial Suicide Copy-cat Prevention Act (Debating)

[TNF]

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Sponsor: North Carolina Yankee

You have 24 hours to make your case here.

[bore]

I also don't want to seem like an asshole () but I'm not sure I understand the point of this bill.

As far as I can tell it tells a government department to draw up non binding guidelines to stop copy cat suicides, something I'd have hoped they'd have done anyway, but doesn't do anything else.

[TNF]

If we're really concerned about preventing suicide, my suggestion would be to enact universal health insurance so that people can get access to proper mental health care.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I understand the concerns expressed and if it is desired that the name be changed, I am fine with that.

However, I would state that a good way to honor his memory would be to address a critical aspect of the issue and it is definitely the case that this is one that was brought to the focus specifically because of what happened to him. Therefore I don't see the name as being contradictory to the purpose.

If we're really concerned about preventing suicide, my suggestion would be to enact universal health insurance so that people can get access to proper mental health care.

Access to insurance is the one real life mental health problem that Atlasia does not share.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I also don't want to seem like an asshole () but I'm not sure I understand the point of this bill.

As far as I can tell it tells a government department to draw up non binding guidelines to stop copy cat suicides, something I'd have hoped they'd have done anyway, but doesn't do anything else.

It is done but the purpose of this is to update, improve and strengthen those standards to ensure they reflect the latest science and studies.

[Dr. Cynic]

Would the issues that you hope to combat in this bill not be better met if we promised universal treatment for those suffering from mental health issues?

[bore]

Would the issues that you hope to combat in this bill not be better met if we promised universal treatment for those suffering from mental health issues?

I think atlasia's already got that, but it's not an either or situation anyway.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Yes for the two hundredth time, we have already passed through problem number 1 in real life, access. Now we are left with the less exciting and more expensive details ( in some cases).

[Napoleon]

I want to sound like an asshole - really - but if you want to prevent copycat suicides, it's not a good idea to name a law after someone who just took his own life.

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Yankee, is my amendment friendly or hostile?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Reluctantly friendly.

I was considering offering it myself last night but of course I couldn't get on until now. Hopefully it will move the debate behind where it is presently stuck.

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Senators have 24 hours to object to the adoption of the above amendment.

[bore]

You need to cross out the or as well.

[PPT Spiral]

What statutes exists for this, if anything? Assuming that the slate is blank, these are sensible measures and I'll support the bill.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

What statutes exists for this, if anything? Assuming that the slate is blank, these are sensible measures and I'll support the bill.

I wrote this from my house so I couldn't check to see if we had previously passed anything but as far as I can remember we did not. It was in the Comprehensive Mental Health Bill last year in a slightly less detailed form for length reasons obviously. This also reflects some more recent information that I have obtained courtesy of the coverage following the loss of the actor two weeks ago now.

[Lumine]

I agree with Spiral on this, this seems like a very sensible proposal and I don't see the harm on it. That said, if we want to make it more effective beyond the guidelines set to the news media perhaps we could include some sort of public campaign (like using ads on the issue) to put more emphasis on prevention?

[Cranberry]

I'm with Spiral and Lumine here, I totally support the bill and think that it will achieve its aims.
I also support a public ad campaign.
Secondly, maybe it is wise to install a call service for people that seek help, but don't want to go to a practising professional, whatever the reason. There is a such a program in Austria, just for children and teenagers though, by the public TV station in cooperation with the Red Cross. Maybe we could too support the installation of such a service, in addition to that all? (not necessarily by the government of course, I guess the Red Cross would be best for that task)

[Dr. Cynic]

I'm going to vote in favor of this bill as it now reads. Getting Robin Williams' name and the "suicide copy cat" stuff out of it was necessary.

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The amendment has been adopted.

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What's next here Yankee?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I'm back baby

Well not really, but I can get on at least somewhat now that the neighbors are back.

I'm with Spiral and Lumine here, I totally support the bill and think that it will achieve its aims.
I also support a public ad campaign.
Secondly, maybe it is wise to install a call service for people that seek help, but don't want to go to a practising professional, whatever the reason. There is a such a program in Austria, just for children and teenagers though, by the public TV station in cooperation with the Red Cross. Maybe we could too support the installation of such a service, in addition to that all? (not necessarily by the government of course, I guess the Red Cross would be best for that task)

The Comprehensive Mental Health Reform Act that was brutally ambushed last year, contained such an ad campaign but it was rather simplistic language. Would you be willing to incorporate such a text into this Act? I can compose an amendment but there is a day or two lag considering my internet access limitations. I would consider any amendment in this regard friendly, provided it doesn't cost too much. I also like the call to service.

[Cranberry]

Yes, I will of course write an amendment.
Okay with that?

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[TNF]

Yankee, is the proposed amendment friendly or hostile?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Friendly for now, but the agency might need to be changed.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Sorry, I was disrupted earlier. I am grateful for the help from my neighbor but there is nothing like the peace of my own room.

I mean to say Friendly, but I might have an amendment for later regarding the office in charge of the ad campaign. I need to check the Reorganization Act of last summer to see.