SENATOR COONS INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN BILL TO ENSURE MORE FUNDING FOR VETERAN SUICIDE PREVENTION

State of Delaware - Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) have taken an important step toward improving mental health support for veterans with the bipartisan introduction of the Every State Counts for Veterans Mental Health Act.

This legislation aims to secure essential suicide prevention funding for veterans in all states, including Delaware.

In 2019, the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act was enacted to enhance mental health services for veterans, introducing several new initiatives. One key initiative is the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP), which was established to reduce veteran suicide through community efforts.

Despite a significant authorization of $174 million for these programs from fiscal year 2021 through 2025, Delaware and North Dakota have not previously received any funding.

The proposed Every State Counts for Veterans Mental Health Act seeks to address this issue by prioritizing grant applications from states that have yet to benefit from the SSG Fox SPGP. This effort demonstrates a commitment to providing timely access to mental health care for veterans, regardless of their location.

Senator Coons emphasized the urgency of supporting veterans at risk of suicide, highlighting the need to rectify Delaware's previous lack of access to these crucial funds. He noted the potential of local organizations ready to enhance their outreach to veterans in need.

Similarly, Senator Cramer remarked that veterans across North Dakota and beyond deserve timely mental health assistance and praised the bill for its practical approach to ensuring that veterans receive the support they have been promised.

As this legislation progresses, it holds the promise of expanding vital mental health resources to states that have been previously underfunded, ensuring that more veterans receive the life-saving support they deserve.

Source: Copy of the original bill