Ronald Reagan

“ The phenomenon of youth suicide is a national problem. To cope with it we must enlist the combined diagnostic and educational efforts of individuals, families, communities, churches, synagogues, private groups, and government agencies. ”

“ By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Our youth are this Nation's hope for the future. Young people have so much to offer society and so much to hope for that their early death is always a keenly felt tragedy. That tragedy becomes even more poignant when a young person takes his or her own life.
During the last three decades, youth suicide rates have tripled. Last year alone, approximately five thousand young people took their own lives, and many thousands more attempted suicide. ”

“ We must continue to combat those tendencies and influences such as the "drug culture" that preach despair and violence and generously offer help and counsel to young people beset with problems of adolescence. ”