Suicide Prevention Assistance Act

HR 2044, the Suicide Prevention Assistance Act, provides grants to primary care offices to implement suicide prevention services. The bill requires grantees to hire clinical social workers, screen patients for self-harm/suicide using new federal standards, provide short-term prevention services, and refer patients to long-term care facilities as needed. Grants are limited to $500,000 over two years, with a maximum of 10 total grants (one per state) awarded to primary care offices. Recipients must submit quarterly reports on patient screenings, services provided, and adherence to standards, with annual evaluations to Congress. The bill directly affects primary care offices participating in the grant program and their patients receiving these specific services.