HCS HB 59 & 269 -- SUICIDE PREVENTION

SPONSOR:  Holand (Johnson, 61)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Health Care Policy by a vote of 12 to 0.

This substitute requires the Director of the Department of Mental
Health, in partnership with the Department of Health and Senior
Services, to design and develop a state suicide prevention plan
in collaboration with the departments of Social Services,
Elementary and Secondary Education, Higher Education, and
Corrections.  The plan must:

(1)  Promote the use of employee assistance and workplace
programs to support employees experiencing depression or other
psychiatric illnesses;

(2)  Promote the use of student assistance and educational
programs to support students with depression and other
psychiatric illnesses and substance abuse disorders;

(3)  Provide training and technical assistance to local public
health and other community-based professionals on the best
practices to prevent suicides;

(4)  Coordinate federal, state, and local agencies in order to
collect and analyze data on suicides and suicidal behaviors in
Missouri and annually issue a public report;

(5)  Establish a toll-free suicide prevention hotline; and

(6)  Recommend statutory changes and implementation and funding
requirements to the General Assembly by December 31, 2004.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that over 700 cases of suicide are
reported annually in Missouri.  Missouri has a suicide rate 15%
higher than the national average and a rate higher than
surrounding states.  Attempted suicides and suicides are a
growing public health problem in the United States, resulting in
increased health care costs and emotional and economic losses
experienced by affected families.  The bill would promote
inter-agency cooperation at the state and community levels and
recognition of warning signs associated with suicide.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Smith (118);
Department of Mental Health; Department of Health and Senior
Services; Paraquad of St. Louis; Students Working Against
Depression; Missouri Statewide Parent Advisory Network; and
Coalition of Community Mental Health Providers.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Joseph Deering, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:10 am