WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) introduced the bipartisan Every State Counts for Veterans Mental Health Act to ensure veterans in every state, including Delaware, can benefit from critical suicide prevention resources.
When Congress passed the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019, it authorized several new programs designed to improve veterans’ access to mental health care. Among the provisions, the bill established the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP) to reduce veteran suicide through a community-based approach.
Although SSG Fox SPGP authorized $174 million to be appropriated for fiscal year 2021 through fiscal year 2025, neither North Dakota nor Delaware, nor entities serving these states, have received any funding.
The Every State Counts for Veterans Mental Health Act would address this by providing priority consideration of SSG Fox SPGP applications to entities in states that have not previously received a grant.
“We have a duty to support those who have volunteered to serve in our armed forces, and no aid is more urgent than helping our veterans at risk of suicide,” said Senator Coons. “Until now, Delaware has missed out on critical funds to address veterans’ mental health and suicide risk despite the amazing organizations in the First State ready to expand their reach. This bill rights that wrong so that more Delaware veterans who have risked their lives to keep us safe will receive the life-saving support they deserve when they come home.”
“Veterans across North Dakota and the nation bravely served our country and have been promised timely access to mental healthcare, no matter where they live,” said Senator Cramer. “Our bipartisan bill provides a practical fix to ensure North Dakota veterans receive suicide prevention support if they need it.”
You can read the full text of the bill here.