Removing suicide from any association with criminality in Virginia (even "common law") is long overdue. Research shows that stigmatizing mental illness only serves to discourage people from talking about their distress and seeking help.

Hello, I’m Andrea Walker from Arlington. I’m here to support HB43 which abolishes suicide as a common law crime in Virginia. That it’s still on the books is reprehensible. How can we speak of suicide prevention and then leave suicide as a common law crime on the books? Think of our military heroes who later die by suicide. Should they really be considered common law criminals? That stigma needs to be erased. And you can do it. HB 43 is truly a bipartisan bill. We are all affected in some way by suicide. With HB 43 no one is Republican or Democrat: one is only a compassionate person doing the right thing at the right time to help reduce the sigma of suicide. Thank you.

Please accept the attached document detailing NAMI Virginia's strong support of HB43.

Please accept my attached statement on HB43. Thank you. Sharon Webster

My 15-year-old son took his life after years of struggling valiantly to overcome his serious mental illness. 27 years later, his death remains devastating. The fact that the state considers this gentle, kind, tortured soul a criminal is unfathomable and adds to the tremendous pain of our loss. Please vote yes on HB 43.