Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is calling for an increase in funding for suicide prevention programs.
“We do so much about auto accidents, which kill a comparable number of people. Why aren’t we doing more about suicide?” Schumer asked.
The Senator said it’s one of the leading causes of death in the United States. The CDC recently released a report showing the suicide rate is increasing.
Schumer said despite that, federal grants for suicide prevention programs have remained unchanged for the past five years.
Last week, fashion icon Kate Spade and CNN personality Anthony Bourdain were found dead after committing suicide. Spade was found hanged in her Manhattan apartment. Bourdain hanged himself while in France for his television show.
“Now of course everyone is paying attention due to these two unfortunate deaths of very well-known and beloved figures and so I think we should strike now because they’ll be much more sympathy to get more money here,” Schumer said.
Spade’s family said she suffered from depression in recent years.
Schumer said hearing of their deaths put a giant lump in his throat and a hole in his heart.
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