Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) would help reduce suicides by facilitating the installation of evidence-based suicide deterrents on bridges, including suicide prevention nets and barriers.
“In the midst of the mental health crisis our country is experiencing, Congress must take a comprehensive approach to reduce rising levels of death by suicide,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said. “Nets and other barriers on bridges are proven to be effective at preventing suicide-by-jumping.”
Rep. Fitzpatrick signed on as an original cosponsor of the Barriers to Suicide Act of 2023, H.R. 3759, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) to create grants for state and local governments to install the nets and barriers on bridges.
“Our Barriers to Suicide Act would create a grant program to support the implementation of those kind of deterrent measures,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “As co-chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force, I am proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in leading this bill that will save lives.”
H.R. 3759 is supported by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, RI International, the Kennedy Forum, the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists, the National League for Nursing, the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, and the American Psychological Association.
“The Barriers To Suicide Act is common-sense, bipartisan legislation that would strengthen America’s response to the epidemic of suicide,” said Rep. Beyer. “As national awareness of the efficacy of suicide prevention barriers rises, Congress can help by stepping up to provide critical funding for this proven method for state and local governments to save lives. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and will continue to pursue legislative solutions to prevent suicide.”