WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24) yesterday announced reintroduction of the Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act.
This bipartisan bill, which passed the House last Congress, bolsters aid for suicide crisis centers in Central New York. Rep. Katko reintroduced the measure alongside U.S. Reps. Grace F. Napolitano (D, CA-32) and Donald Beyer (D, VA-8).
“[Yesterday], I announced the reintroduction of the Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act, a bipartisan bill that would deliver increased funding for suicide crisis centers in Central New York. These centers, which handle the majority of local calls to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, have long worked on tight budgets while managing ever increasing call volumes,” Katko said. “The ongoing pandemic has caused significant economic hardship and forced people to isolate. As a result, we have seen spikes in mental illness and suicide among the general population, and within our veteran community. There’s no question, the pandemic has brought this issue to the forefront and it’s time we devote the necessary resources to support those in-need.”