Katko’s bipartisan bill would more than quadruple suicide prevention funding

U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) on May 4 reintroduced the bipartisan Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act of 2021, which would significantly increase authorized funding for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline from $12 million to $50 million.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of over 160 crisis centers that handle the majority of local calls to the Lifeline and have long worked on tight budgets while managing ever-increasing call volumes, Rep. Katko said.

“The ongoing pandemic has caused significant economic hardship and forced people to isolate. As a result, we have seen spikes in mental illness and suicide among the general population, and within our veteran community,” said Rep. Katko. “There’s no question, the pandemic has brought this issue to the forefront and it’s time we devote the necessary resources to support those in-need.”

If enacted, H.R. 2981 also would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop and implement a plan to increase quality assurance, end call wait times, implement evidence-based practices, and create guidelines to carry out periodic testing of the Lifeline, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Katko’s office.

Additionally, the bill would increase coordination and data sharing between the Lifeline and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and establish a pilot program to research and employ innovative technologies for suicide prevention, among other provisions, the summary says. 

Rep. Katko and bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA) unveiled the legislation this week and also introduced the same-named bill in 2020. While the measure received approval from the U.S. House of Representatives, it expired before action could be taken by the U.S. Senate.

Contact Community Services in Syracuse, N.Y., and the Wounded Warrior Project support the newly reintroduced bill.