Suicide mortality review team proposed

Members of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee heard testimony March 6 on a proposal to create a team that would gather and analyze data on veteran deaths by suicide in Nebraska.

Under LB414, introduced by Lincoln Sen. George Dungan, the review team would be housed within the state Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Members would include representatives from the Nebraska Violent Death Reporting System, Nebraska Local Outreach to Suicide Loss Survivors, the state Department of Health and Human Services and appointed members from the fields of education, health care, law enforcement, mental health and social work.

Dungan said he worked closely with the department to develop the bill in hopes of facilitating greater coordination and communication among entities that are working to better understand and prevent veteran suicide.

“[The] team doesn’t just gather data, but can utilize that data in real-word examples to actually try to reduce the harm to individuals,” Dungan said.

The team would have access to an array of data, including law enforcement reports, as well as employment, educational, forensic, medical and mental health treatment records. They also could interview next of kin who are willing to participate. The team would be required to:
• develop a suicide mortalities data collection system;
• develop protocols for suicide investigations;
• conduct an annual analysis of the incidences and causes of suicide in Nebraska;
• educate the public regarding suicide and the public’s role in prevention; and
• study the adequacy of training and services to determine what can be done to decrease suicides.

Testifying in favor of the proposal was Jenifer Acierno, legal counsel for the state Department of Veterans’ Affairs. She said a suicide mortality review team would provide the department with valuable background information and context to better understand the issue of veteran suicide.

The team also would facilitate cooperation among the disparate groups in Nebraska that are working on the issue of suicide prevention generally, Acierno said.

No one testified in opposition to the measure and the committee took no immediate action.