2006 Minnesota Statutes

145.56 SUICIDE PREVENTION.
    Subdivision 1. Suicide prevention plan. The commissioner of health shall refine, coordinate,
and implement the state's suicide prevention plan using an evidence-based, public health
approach focused on prevention, in collaboration with the commissioner of human services;
the commissioner of public safety; the commissioner of education; and appropriate agencies,
organizations, and institutions in the community.
    Subd. 2. Community-based programs. To the extent funds are appropriated for the
purposes of this subdivision, the commissioner shall establish a grant program to fund:
(1) community-based programs to provide education, outreach, and advocacy services to
populations who may be at risk for suicide;
(2) community-based programs that educate community helpers and gatekeepers, such as
family members, spiritual leaders, coaches, and business owners, employers, and coworkers on
how to prevent suicide by encouraging help-seeking behaviors;
(3) community-based programs that educate populations at risk for suicide and community
helpers and gatekeepers that must include information on the symptoms of depression and other
psychiatric illnesses, the warning signs of suicide, skills for preventing suicides, and making or
seeking effective referrals to intervention and community resources; and
(4) community-based programs to provide evidence-based suicide prevention and
intervention education to school staff, parents, and students in grades kindergarten through 12.
    Subd. 3. Workplace and professional education. (a) The commissioner shall promote the
use of employee assistance and workplace programs to support employees with depression and
other psychiatric illnesses and substance abuse disorders, and refer them to services. In promoting
these programs, the commissioner shall collaborate with employer and professional associations,
unions, and safety councils.
(b) The commissioner shall provide training and technical assistance to local public health
and other community-based professionals to provide for integrated implementation of best
practices for preventing suicides.
    Subd. 4. Collection and reporting suicide data. The commissioner shall coordinate with
federal, regional, local, and other state agencies to collect, analyze, and annually issue a public
report on Minnesota-specific data on suicide and suicidal behaviors.
    Subd. 5. Periodic evaluations; biennial reports. To the extent funds are appropriated for the
purposes of this subdivision, the commissioner shall conduct periodic evaluations of the impact of
and outcomes from implementation of the state's suicide prevention plan and each of the activities
specified in this section. By July 1, 2002, and July 1 of each even-numbered year thereafter, the
commissioner shall report the results of these evaluations to the chairs of the policy and finance
committees in the house and senate with jurisdiction over health and human services issues.
History: 1Sp2001 c 9 art 1 s 45; 2002 c 379 art 1 s 113; 2003 c 130 s 12; 1Sp2005 c 4 art
6 s 36,37