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This history of suicide prevention legislation began in 1997, with the passage of resolutions by Congress recognizing suicide as a national problem and declaring suicide prevention a national priority. Since then, two major laws have been enacted: The Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act (PL 108-355) and the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act (PL 110-110). In addition, the movement has witnessed the formation of a national Suicide Prevention Resource Center, the establishment of a national suicide prevention hotline, and the development of a National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. Many state governments have also passed suicide prevention legislation, including resolutions recognizing suicide as a problem, and authorizing the development of state suicide prevention plans.
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| Senator Harkin & Congressman Ramstad receive SPAN USA's 2007 Allies for Action Award. | Senators Dodd & Smith and Congressman Gordon receive SPAN USA's 2004 Allies for Action Award. |
SPAN USA's Public Policy Priorities:
Each year, SPAN USA gathers insight from national suicide prevention advocates and experts to develop its annual Public Policy Priorities -- this document, which outlines what SPAN USA believes to be the most important public policy issues, guides our advocacy efforts throughout the year.
Click the links below to learn more about SPAN USA's 2008 Public Policy Priorities:
- Medicare Bill with Mental Health Equity Becomes Law
- Passage of mental health parity legislation
- Funding for the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act programs
- Reauthorization of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- Veterans and Military Suicide Prevention
- Increased resources for behavioral interventions to prevent suicide
- Additional funding for the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS)
- Elimination of Medicare mental health coinsurance discrimination
- 2008 Campaign Initiative to Educate National Candidates about Suicide Prevention
Other Public Policy Issues
Firearms:
- Suicide Prevention Community Statement on Firearms
- SPAN USA encourages campuses to focus on mental health and suicide prevention services, rather than allowing students to carry concealed weapons on campus. To read a Letter to the Editor published in the Washington Times, click here.
Bridge Barriers:
- Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Community Joint Statement on Golden Gate Bridge Barrier
October 2008 Update:
San Francisco officials recently voted to fit the Golden Gate Bridge with a safety net to deter suicidal people from jumping off the structure. To read about the proposed net, click here.
Other Public Policy Resources:
Federal suicide prevention laws:
- S.Res.84 recognizing suicide as a national problem and a national priority
- H.Res.212 recognizing suicide as a national problem and a national priority
- The Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act (P.L. 108-355)
- The Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act (P.L. 110-110)
Federal suicide prevention legislation:
State suicide prevention legislation:
- State Legislation and Policy Update, FY 2008: Suicide Prevention and Mental Health (Aug 2008)
- State Legislation, Policy Trends & Synopsis, FY2007; Suicide Prevention and Mental Health
- State Legislation, Policy Trends & Synopsis, FY2006: Suicide Prevention and Mental Health
State Policy Information on Suicide Prevention:
- Youth Suicide Prevention: Strengthening State Policies and School-Based Strategies - an April 2005 Issue Brief from the National Governors Association.
- State Efforts to Prevent Youth Suicide - an April 2004 Issue brief from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO).
- State Suicide Prevention Plans - a March 2004 briefing paper from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).
Reports on suicide and suicide prevention:
- The Institute of Medicine's Reducing Suicide: A National Imperative (2002)
- The National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (2001)
- The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent Suicide (1999)