Senator Ricketts’ Weekly Column: Suicide Awareness Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Month.  This month is an opportunity to raise awareness, continue supporting people in crisis, and work together to prevent suicide. Suicide remains a leading cause of death in the United States.  In 2024, more than 48,000 Americans died by suicide.  Over 14 million adults had serious thoughts about committing suicide.  We can and must do more to prevent this from happening. Protecting mental health has always been a priority of mine.  As Governor, I promoted well-being and access to support across Nebraska.  I ensured every Nebraskan had access to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.  This lifeline is a simpler way for Nebraskans experiencing a mental health issue to seek immediate help.  We launched the “Nebraska Needs You” suicide prevention campaign.  This statewide Public Service Announcement educated Nebraskans about suicide warning signs and encouraged those in crisis to seek help.  My administration created a behavioral health System of Care designed specifically to help young Nebraskans.  We also put suicide prevention tools directly in our schools.  This included training for more than 67,000 educators and school personnel to help students that are struggling. To support our veterans, we launched the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide among Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families in Nebraska. The call to defend our country comes with a cost.  Many of our veterans bear the physical or psychological scars of service.  Working with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, we encouraged those in need of care to receive help. Because of our efforts to improve mental health resources, Nebraska ranked fourth in the nation for mental health.  As Senator, my efforts to prevent suicide and combat our nation’s mental health issues remain a top priority. In August, I co-sponsored the Campus Lifeline Act.  This bipartisan bill would increase awareness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and expand resources to students nationwide.  It would also increase access to student-led outreach on college campuses.  Peer-to-Peer engagement plays an important role in the ability to identify students in crisis and connect them with the support they need. This is important because our nation is experiencing an epidemic of loneliness.  Research has linked loneliness to suicidal thoughts and behaviors.  I introduced the bipartisan Improving Measurements for Loneliness and Isolation Act to help combat this epidemic.  Representative Mike Flood introduced the companion bill in the House.  This bill would establish a working group that would help experts target the root causes of loneliness. Loneliness and isolation are also serious challenges for many of our nation’s veterans.  Veterans experience a significantly higher suicide rate than non-veteran adults.  We must continue to provide them with the help they need.  To build on my work as Governor, I introduced the MIND Our Veterans Act.  This bill would ensure that servicemembers receive effective, evidence-based mental health screenings prior to separation from active duty. Encouragingly, the United States has seen a decrease in suicide deaths.  But that is not enough.  Our goal is zero deaths from suicide.  Until that goal is reached, I will continue to fight to improve mental health and expand resources that help prevent suicide. This month and every month, check on your family, your friends, and your neighbors.  Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone.  Our loved ones should never have to face them alone. My team and I are here to serve you.  Contact us anytime by phone at 202-224-4224.  You can also view my website at https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/contact .