1 State of Arkansas
2 94th General Assembly
3 Fiscal Session, 2024 HR 1050
4
5 By: Representative Gramlich
6
7 HOUSE RESOLUTION
8 TO RAISE AWARENESS AND TAKE ACTION AGAINST VETERAN
9 SUICIDE; TO SUPPORT STATE CAPITOL DAY; AND TO PROMOTE
10 USE OF THE 988 SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE.
11
12
13 Subtitle
14 TO RAISE AWARENESS AND TAKE ACTION
15 AGAINST VETERAN SUICIDE; TO SUPPORT STATE
16 CAPITOL DAY; AND TO PROMOTE USE OF THE
17 988 SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE.
18
19
20 WHEREAS, State Capitol Day, a day to raise awareness and take action
21 against suicide organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention -
22 Arkansas Chapter, will take place at the State Capitol on May 2, 2024; and
23
24 WHEREAS, State Capitol Day events provide advocates the opportunity to
25 meet with legislators and speak about legislative and policy issues that need
26 support; and
27
28 WHEREAS, state bills have been enacted as a result of joining advocates
29 and lawmakers that now:
30 (1) Ban the practice of conversion therapy;
31 (2) Required suicide prevention polices and personnel training
32 in K-12 schools;
33 (3) Increase suicide prevention on college and university
34 campuses;
35 (4) Require insurance plans to treat mental health and physical
36 health equally; and
*DTP309* 4/30/2024 8:47:49 AM DTP309
 HR1050
1 (5) Create statewide suicide prevention offices and task forces;
2 and
3
4 WHEREAS, suicide is a national public health issue that
5 disproportionately affects veterans; and
6
7 WHEREAS, countless veterans suffer from service-related mental health
8 disorders, with post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder
9 being the most common; and
10
11 WHEREAS, many veterans face barriers to treatment for their mental
12 health issues, including shame, long wait times to receive treatment, a lack
13 of understanding of the problem or treatment options, and stigma associated
14 with mental health issues, which put veterans at a high risk for suicide; and
15
16 WHEREAS, suicide awareness is key to suicide prevention, including:
17 (1) Information about the warning signs of suicide;
18 (2) Information concerning suicide prevention; and
19 (3) Comprehensive veteran healthcare; and
20
21 WHEREAS, suicide can be prevented through the application of a public
22 health strategy combining both clinically-based and community-focused
23 interventions; and
24
25 WHEREAS, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020
26 authorized 988 as the universal telephone number operating through the
27 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline; and
28
29 WHEREAS, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline:
30 (1) Operates through the Veteran Crisis Line to directly address
31 the need for ease of access and clarity in times of crisis for veterans; and
32 (2) Continues to provide veterans assistance from responders who
33 are trained in crisis intervention and military culture; and
34
35 WHEREAS, State Capitol Day is a commendable initiative to promote
36 mental health and prevent suicide,
2 4/30/2024 8:47:49 AM DTP309
 HR1050
1
2 NOW THEREFORE,
3 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL
4 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS:
5
6 THAT the House of Representatives recognize State Capitol Day and the
7 need to raise awareness and take action to prevent veteran suicide in the
8 State of Arkansas.
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
3 4/30/2024 8:47:49 AM DTP309