In Case You Haven't Heard…

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is applauding suicide prevention legislation that would establish a grant program with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to fund suicide prevention programs in emergency departments to better train staff in suicide prevention strategies, screen at‐risk patients and refer patients to appropriate follow‐up care. The Suicide Prevention Act (H.R. 5619/S.3198) was introduced Jan. 15 by Reps. Doris Matsui (D‐California), Chris Stewart (R‐Utah) with Sens. John Kennedy (R‐Louisiana) and Jack Reed (D‐Rhode Island). This bipartisan and bicameral bill would authorize funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to partner with state and local health departments to improve the surveillance of suicide attempts and other instances of self‐harm. AFSP officials said this is a key component of AFSP's Project 2025 to reduce the suicide rate 20% by the year 2025. “As 39% of people who die by suicide make an Emergency Department visit in the year prior to their death, this bill will save lives,” AFSP said in a news release. “We urge Congress to pass this crucial legislation into law.”