H.R.2981- Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act In the United States

H.R.2981- Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act
In the United States, suicide is becoming increasingly problematic as times goes on. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (2023), 1.7 million Americans attempted suicide in 2021, with an average of 130 completed suicides daily. To combat this terrifying reality, government policies are constantly being created or amended. The 117th Congress (2021) created a bill H.R. 2981, named Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act. If enacted, this bill focuses on communication platforms for the already existing lifeline, such as the ability to text or communicate via social media. This bill would also support the sharing of data to the CDC in order to improve research in suicide prevention.
Social Determinant Effect and Benefit
Of the five social determinants, this potential policy would have the greatest effect on health quality and access. As listed by Health People 2030 (n.d.), a goal is to increase the use of evidence-based care among Americans. Gould et al. (2021) explains that the use of technology and suicide reduction has been proven effective. In other words, it was found that by providing individuals with suicidal ideation a platform to chat or text with a worker from the suicide lifeline, they were over 60% more likely to be less stressed and the suicide attempts decreased overall.
Conclusion
All in all, it has been proven that increasing Americans’ access to quality mental healthcare is important. As explained in the previous paragraph, there is actual evidence supporting the use of texting and chatting platforms to communicate with those that are feeling suicidal. To continue to pass policies or bills such as the one previously explained, it is our job as nurses to educate everyone around us about these policies, and how they will positively affect our patients and community. It is necessary to increase our knowledge so that we can better serve those who suffer from mental illness.