Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Florida Government & Politics

Gus Bilirakis Champions Suicide Prevention Bills on Capitol Hill

Bilirakis also focused on the “STANDUP Act” which “encourages schools to expand evidence-based suicide prevention training in schools.” The Florida Republican also showcased the “Mental Health Parity Enforcement Act” which “would hold insurance companies accountable if they fail to adhere to existing law which requires parity in coverage for mental and physical health conditions.”

Bilirakis also focused on the “STANDUP Act” which “encourages schools to expand evidence-based suicide prevention training in schools.” The Florida Republican also showcased the “Mental Health Parity Enforcement Act” which “would hold insurance companies accountable if they fail to adhere to existing law which requires parity in coverage for mental and physical health conditions.”

Last week, at a meeting of the U.S. House Health Subcommittee, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., showcased suicide prevention and mental health access bills.

At the meeting, Bilirakis brought out the “Effective Suicide Screening in the Emergency Department Act” back in October. The bill “helps to create protocols for identifying, assessing and treating individuals in the E.R. who may be at risk for suicide.” The bill has the backing of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., in the U.S. Senate. U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel, D-NY, is cosponsoring the measure as are eight other House members.

Bilirakis also focused on the “STANDUP Act” which “encourages schools to expand evidence-based suicide prevention training in schools.” The Florida Republican also showcased the “Mental Health Parity Enforcement Act” which “would hold insurance companies accountable if they fail to adhere to existing law which requires parity in coverage for mental and physical health conditions.”

After the meeting, Bilirakis weighed in on the bills.

“There is no higher priority than keeping our children safe.  By providing high quality screening and prevention training to school staff and peers, we can identify threats before they materialize, and ensure that those who are at risk get the mental health treatment they need.  Sadly, some communities in my district are among those with the highest suicide rates in our state. With training like this, we can help reverse that troubling trend,” said Bilirakis.

“Consideration of these bills could not come at a more pressing time. The pandemic and resulting economic downturn have impacted the mental health and well-being of many Americans. It is vital that we ensure access to appropriate tools to assist those in need.  I urge my colleagues to join me in expediting passage of these bills through the legislative process,” he added.

Bilirakis is also backing U.S. Rep. Chris Stewart’s, R-Utah, “National Suicide Hotline Designation Act” which makes 988 a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline.

At the end of last year, Bilirakis and U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-Fla., sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis requesting the state of Florida’s assistance to improve the accuracy of data on veterans mortality and life expectancy.

Crist and Bilirakis asked that the state of Florida to establish a policy requiring medical examiners and investigators to indicate whether a victim of suicide is a veteran on their death certificates. In cases where there are missing or incomplete service records, medical examiners and investigators can partner with Veteran Service Organizations to improve accuracy. The letter to DeSantis comes after a joint meeting of Crist’s and Bilirakis’ Veteran Advisory Boards raised concerns that veteran suicide data may not be as accurate as it should be. Crist and Bilirakis represent more than 110,000 veterans.

 

Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.

 

Author

  • Kevin Derby

    Originally from Jacksonville, Kevin Derby is a contributing writer for Florida Daily and covers politics across Florida.

    View all posts

Archives

Related Stories

Top Story

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced more than $2.1 million in additional funding for military-supporting infrastructure through the Defense Reinvestment Grant Program. The...

Education News in Florida

Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Joseph Zimmerman to the School Board of Nassau County and Emil “Clayton” Lyons to the School Board...

Political News

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida is making 300 new bonus awards to Law Enforcement Officers and has reached a milestone of 6,400...

Governor Ron DeSantis

Governor Ron DeSantis announced an extension of the state’s record-long 2024 Gulf Red Snapper recreational season, adding 17 additional fishing days for Florida families and visitors...

Popular Stories

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the following two judicial appointments to the Orange County Court:   Heather Guarch, of Winter Park, to serve as Judge...

Trending News

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Belvin Perry Jr. to the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Board of Trustees. Belvin...

Political News

Following a recent report of FEMA bias against Trump supporters, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is taking legal action against current and former FEMA...

Economy News

A third-quarter report from Florida’s tourism bureau, VISIT FLORIDA, revealed new records set for visitors to the Sunshine State. Governor Ron DeSantis said preliminary estimates indicate that 34.6...