HR 1050 Summary

• House of Representatives recognizes State Capitol Day on May 2, 2024, organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Arkansas Chapter to raise awareness and take action against suicide.

• Prior advocacy efforts have resulted in five Arkansas bills: banning conversion therapy, requiring K-12 suicide prevention policies and training, increasing college/university suicide prevention, requiring equal mental health and physical health insurance coverage, and creating statewide suicide prevention offices and task forces.

• Acknowledges that suicide disproportionately affects veterans, with many suffering from service-related mental health disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, while facing barriers to treatment such as shame, long wait times, and stigma.

• The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides veterans with crisis intervention support through trained responders familiar with military culture and operates through a dedicated Veteran Crisis Line.

• Calls on the House of Representatives to recognize State Capitol Day and the need to raise awareness and take action to prevent veteran suicide in Arkansas.