Veteran Suicide Prevention Task Force Bill Receives Full Oklahoma House Support  

The Oklahoma House unanimously passed a bill Wednesday that would create a veteran suicide prevention task force.

About sixteen veterans die by suicide in the U.S. every day according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

This discussion unifies lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. 

“Veterans and their issues are very close to my heart,” said Representative Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman.

“I’m happy we’re having these conversations. I think that’s the most important part of this whole thing.”

“To make sure, once again, that we are providing for those who fought for us or who at least put their lives on the line for us,” Rosecrants said. 

House Bill 1036 would create a task force of nine appointed members to help reduce the number of veterans' lives lost to suicide. 

“If you’ve seen the numbers, they’re bad,” Rosecrants said. 

The 2022 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report shows the average number of Veteran suicides per day rose to its highest point in 2018 - more than 18 per day. The year 2020 had the lowest number of Veteran suicides since 2006.

A mother who lost her son approached Rosecrants and inspired him to pursue solutions. He started with efforts to raise awareness, but turned it into something that could offer real help to veterans.

“I don’t want to just bring awareness to something,” Rosecrants said. “I also wanna have some solutions to something.”

This bill unified the Oklahoma House chamber.

“It’s good to see that level of bipartisan support for this, because let’s be honest, this is an issue that absolutely shouldn’t be politicized in any shape or form,” Rosecrants said. 

For a moment the aisle in this chamber faded away as the bill passed the House with 100 percent support. House Bill 1036 heads to the Senate for their consideration.