Central ND News

When Congress enacted the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019, it introduced several programs aimed at enhancing veterans' access to mental health services. Among these initiatives was the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP), which was established to tackle veteran suicide through community-based efforts.

The SSG Fox SPGP authorized $174 million for appropriation from Fiscal Year 2021 through Fiscal Year 2025. However, neither North Dakota nor Delaware, nor entities serving these states, have received any funding.

In response to this issue, U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Chris Coons (D-DE) have put forward the bipartisan Every State Counts for Veterans Mental Health Act. This legislation aims to prioritize SSG Fox SPGP applications from entities in states that have not previously been awarded a grant.

"Veterans across North Dakota and the nation bravely served our country and have been promised timely access to mental healthcare, no matter where they live," said Cramer. "Our bipartisan bill provides a practical fix to ensure North Dakota veterans receive suicide prevention support if they need it."

Senator Coons added, "We have a duty to support those who have volunteered to serve in our armed forces, and no aid is more urgent than helping our veterans at risk of suicide. Until now, Delaware has missed out on critical funds to address veterans’ mental health and suicide risk despite the amazing organizations in the First State ready to expand their reach. This bill rights that wrong so that more Delaware veterans who have risked their lives to keep us safe will receive the life-saving support they deserve when they come home."

Several organizations back this legislation, including the North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs (NDDVA), American Legion Department of North Dakota, Disabled American Veterans Department of North Dakota, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of North Dakota.

Lonnie Wangen, Commissioner of NDDVA stated: "Thank you, Senator Cramer, for leading this legislation. Highly rural states such as North Dakota face a unique challenge in serving our most vulnerable veterans. NDDVA considers suicide prevention the most important and difficult task we are facing. Two words that need to stop being used together are 'veteran' and 'suicide.' We need all the partners and resources available and appreciate any help we can get in this critical mission."

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