YESTERDAY’S organizational meeting of the Governor’s Suicide Prevention Task Force drew “overwhelming support” from the public and private sectors, the administration said.
Gov. Juan N. Babauta and Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente vowed to be personally involved in the task force activities, according to Florence Kirby, the governor’s special assistant for youth affairs.
The task force aims to “combat, help and prevent” cases of teen suicide and attempted suicide, she said.
“This is a joint effort that involves the administration, the Legislature and the community,” the governor said. “We have created the task force due to the rising cases of youth problems,”
he added.
At least 18 individuals form various government and private agencies attended the nearly two-hour meeting on Capitol Hill.
Aside from the governor, the lt. governor and the special assistant for youth affairs, Health Secretary James U. Hofschneider, Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Juan L. Babauta and Special Assistant for Administration Tom Tebuteb also pledged their support for the task force.
The Legislature was represented by Reps. Gloria DLC. Cabrera, R-Saipan, and Benjamin B. Seman, R-Saipan.
There were also representatives from the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, the Community Guidance Center, the Criminal Justice Planning Agency and the Manhoben Center.
According to Kirby, there is already an existing suicide task force headed by the Community Guidance Center, but the governor’s task force will focus on a “massive information campaign.”
“We need all kind of support and whatever is necessary to prevent cases like this,” Kirby said.
