Peace Garden News

In recent efforts to enhance access to suicide prevention services for veterans, U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Chris Coons (D-DE) unveiled new bipartisan legislation. The proposed bill, known as the Every State Counts for Veterans Mental Health Act, aims to improve the effectiveness of the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP), which was initiated as part of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019. This initiative was originally designed to enhance veterans' access to mental health care services.

Historically, the program allocated $174 million for the fiscal years 2021 through 2025. However, neither North Dakota nor Delaware, along with entities serving these states, have benefited from this funding. The upcoming legislation seeks to prioritize grant applications from states that have yet to receive such financial support.

Both senators have expressed their commitment to this cause, emphasizing the urgent need to address veterans' suicide risks. Senator Cramer highlighted the importance of providing mental healthcare to veterans across the nation, stating, “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.” He further endorsed the bipartisan bill as a practical solution for North Dakota's veterans.

Senator Coons echoed these sentiments, explaining that aiding veterans at risk of suicide is a critical obligation. “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,” he remarked. Coons also pointed out that Delaware has missed out on critical mental health funds, despite having organizations ready to expand their reach.

The legislation has gathered support from multiple entities, including the North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs (NDDVA) and other veteran organizations in the state. In response to the proposal, a representative from NDDVA thanked Senator Cramer for his leadership, emphasizing the unique challenges rural states face in serving veterans. “NDDVA considers suicide prevention the most important and difficult task we are facing,” stated the representative.