Bill would add two "lived-experience" seats to Delaware Suicide Prevention Coalition

Senator Dave Wilson, the Senate sponsor of House Bill 87, told the Senate Health and Social Services Committee the bill would add two governor-appointed members with lived experience to the Delaware Suicide Prevention Coalition, one who has survived a suicide attempt and one who has lost someone to suicide.

The bill, introduced on behalf of the Delaware Suicide Prevention Coalition and carried to the Senate by Representative Shoop on the House side, was framed by supporters as an administrative change to ensure survivor voices are formally included in the coalition’s deliberations.

The bill’s importance was emphasized by three in-person public commenters. Denise Marks, who identified herself as a former nurse and a survivor, described losing a daughter to a suicide involving a firearm: “I carry it with me every day. My family will never be whole.” Marks urged the committee to address stigma and promote open conversations and awareness.

Jennifer Antonick, founder and executive director of DJ’s Alliance, said she lost her husband to suicide and helped lead advocacy that produced past legislation (HB 54) establishing an Office of Suicide Prevention. “Adding the lived experience roles to that coalition will maintain the fact that we need to have our voices,” Antonick said, arguing formal membership preserves survivor input in policy work.

Tracy Murphy of the Coalition for a Safer Delaware told senators that “when we center survivors in the work of policy, we do a better job,” and thanked the committee for hearing testimony.

Senator Wilson asked that Senators Huxtable and Buxton be added as cosponsors; committee staff also asked members who wish to be listed as cosponsors to notify the Secretary of the Senate. Committee staff invited written comments and provided an email address for the record.

No formal committee vote on the bill’s merits was recorded in the transcript. After public comment, the chair said the committee would circulate the bill and asked senators to sign the backer sheet; senators were also told to submit written comments if they did not finish speaking.

The committee’s next procedural step is circulation of the bill and collection of backers; the transcript does not record further committee action or a recorded vote on HB 87.

Ending: The committee circulated HB 87 for further consideration and sign-up of cosponsors; no final committee vote on the bill was recorded in the meeting transcript.