Tuesday, September 17, 2024
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and while suicide prevention should be addressed at all times, we take this month as a time to specifically highlight the importance of helping those in need.
The sad truth is that here in Indiana, suicide is the 11th-leading cause of death overall and the second-leading cause of death for 10 – 34 year olds.
In recent years, Senate Republicans have supported efforts to push back against this troubling trend.
In 2023, Senate Republicans made improving access to mental health care our top legislative priority with Senate Enrolled Act 1. This new law laid the groundwork to expand the number of certified community behavioral health clinics throughout the state.
In addition to SEA 1, the 2024 – 25 budget provided $100 million in new funding to support the investment of expanding access to mental health care.
These two measures were critical steps forward in improving our state's mental health resources by giving more Hoosiers facing mental health issues someone to contact, someone to respond and safe places for help when in need.
Another new law Senate Republicans supported established a process for courts to refer criminal suspects to mental health treatment facilities rather than jail. The goal of this bill was to provide criminal suspects facing mental health issues with the resources they need and prevent repeat offenses or continued issues that go unresolved. The state budget included a $10 million investment to expand facilities for this treatment.
Most recently, House Enrolled Act 1385 established the community cares initiative grant pilot program for the purpose of assisting in the costs of starting or expanding mobile integrated health care programs and mobile crisis teams in Indiana.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, help is just a phone call or text away at 988. The Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
To learn more about Indiana's 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, click here.
