Ernst Works Across the Aisle to Increase Funding for Suicide Prevention, Mental Health Crisis Centers
This builds on the Iowa senator’s latest efforts to help Iowans who are struggling with thoughts of suicide and mental health challenges, including veterans and farmers.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) joined her colleagues in introducing the bipartisan
Suicide and Crisis Outreach Prevention Enhancement Act, which would increase funding for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) program from $7.2 million to $20 million per year. The bill would also provide greater flexibility for participants to raise awareness of the services they offer and to collect vital statistics.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a tremendous toll on the mental health of Iowans and Americans across the country, leading to a major surge in calls to suicide prevention hotlines and an uptick in the need for mental health services,”
said Senator Ernst. “This bipartisan bill will help increase the surge capacity of our nation’s suicide prevention lifeline and mental health crisis centers to ensure Iowans are able to access the support they need during these challenging times.”
Background:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of state and local crisis centers linked through a 24/7 toll-free number (1-800-273-TALK or 8255) that connects callers throughout the nation to immediate crisis care. The NSPL also provides call routing to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Veterans Crisis Line.
As a combat veteran, Ernst introduced a
bipartisan bill that would designate one week per year as “Buddy Check Week” to organize outreach events and educate veterans on how to conduct peer wellness checks to help prevent veteran suicide.
The senator also helped pass and get signed into
law her bipartisan
Female Veterans Suicide Prevention Act that requires the VA to include metrics in their annual reporting for female veteran suicide rates and identify the most effective suicide prevention programs.
To help provide Iowa’s agriculture community with critical mental health support and resources, Ernst introduced the bipartisan
FARMERS FIRST Act to provide suicide prevention training for farm advocates, create support groups, and reestablish the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network.
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