Suicide mortality review team clears first round

Senators advanced a measure from general file April 3 that would create a team to gather and analyze data on 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 the team would act as a clearinghouse for information on suicide in Nebraska with a particular focus on the state’s veterans. Lawmakers could then use that information to inform future attempts to reduce suicidality, he said.

“Having this established review team at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs will be a game changer for our veterans dealing with mental health issues and for Nebraskans struggling with mental illness across the entire state,” Dungan said.

Under the bill, 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.

A Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee amendment, adopted 36-0, would add a veteran to the team’s required membership and clarify that “director” refers to the department director or their designee.

Following adoption of the committee amendment, senators voted 37-0 to advance LB414 to select file.