Suicide prevention advocates from across the state will gather in Sacramento Wednesday to urge state lawmakers to make mental health and suicide prevention priority issues.
Organizers of the “state capitol day” said suicide claims more victims in California than alcohol-related traffic accidents and it is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S.
Many of the advocates traveling to Sacramento will be sharing their own stories of loved ones who died by suicide.
Among them is Che Hernandez, chairman of the San Diego chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, whose nephew died by suicide in 2009.
Hernandez is one of eight people from the San Diego area who will travel to Sacramento to advocate for mental health and suicide prevention legislation.
He joins Midday Edition on Tuesday to discuss details of the proposed legislation.