NH Gov. Lynch wants to cut suicide prevention when National Guards need it the most

Vet suicide prevention program faces big cuts

The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Mar 20, 2009 16:41:04 EDT

CONCORD, N.H. — A nationally recognized suicide prevention program for soldiers may take a financial hit because of New Hampshire’s severe budget crunch.

Gov. John Lynch has proposed cutting state funding for the Connect-Frameworks Suicide Prevention Program, which helps the New Hampshire National Guard provide mental health support to soldiers and their families.

State health officials are trying to restore some of the funding, but program director Kenneth Norton says any cut would hurt training efforts.

Since 2005 the program has trained more than 4,000 police officers, educators and mental health workers in suicide prevention for young adults. It started working with the National Guard last year.

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/03/ap_vets_suicide_prevention_032009/