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House adds survivors and bereaved to Delaware Suicide Prevention Coalition
Summary
Legislators unanimously passed a bill to add two seats to the state Suicide Prevention Coalition: one seat for someone who experienced suicidal ideation or survived a suicide attempt and another for someone who lost a loved one to suicide.
Dover, March 26 — The House passed House Bill 87 to add two new positions to the Delaware Suicide Prevention Coalition: one for a person who experienced suicidal ideation or survived a suicide attempt, and one for a person who has lost a loved one to suicide.
Representative Schoop, who sponsored the bill and shepherded it through the Health Committee, said the change would ensure that lived experience informs coalition deliberations.
“This adds 2 members to the Delaware Suicide Prevention Coalition. The first will be someone who has experienced suicide ideation, or survived a suicide attempt, and the second will be a member who has lost a loved one to suicide,” Representative Schoop said on the House floor.
Representative Morrison praised the measure on the floor, saying it ensures “real voices” have a seat at the table. The bill passed on a roll call reported as 38 yes, 0 no and 3 absent.
How this matters: Supporters said adding individuals with lived experience will improve the coalition’s ability to design prevention programs and connect students and families to services. The change amends Title 16 of the Delaware Code to expand the coalition’s membership.
Next steps: The bill will be transmitted to the Senate.
