Connecticut
Learn more about suicide and prevention efforts in Connecticut, including a list of laws enacted in AFSP's top priority areas. Updated: February 2024.
Connecticut suicide prevention plans and initiatives
Connecticut’s suicide prevention initiatives are implemented through the Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board (CTSAB), of which AFSP is a member. The CTSAB is supported and co-chaired by the Department of Children and Families and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and is funded through a Community Mental Health Services Block Grant. The CTSAB meets monthly for programmatic and strategic planning to address issues related to suicide across the lifespan; raises awareness through the “1 Word 1 Voice 1 Life” website; links state and grassroots local efforts; promotes training capacity; and developed and is responsible for implementing The State of Connecticut Suicide Prevention Plan 2020-2025.
Connecticut laws
Key:
- Required by law
- Encouraged by law
- No law in place
Crisis lines and 988 implementation
- Addresses 988 infrastructure and provides for telecom user fee
- Addresses 988 infrastructure but does not include telecom user fee
- 988 law limited to creating an exploratory commission, advisory committee, or task force
Mental health parity
- Public health plans (e.g., Medicaid) regularly submit parity compliance analyses to state regulators
- Private health plans (individual and group) regularly submit parity compliance analyses to state regulators
K – 12 school suicide prevention
- Inclusion of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and/or other crisis line(s) on student ID cards
- Student allowances for excused mental health absences
- School personnel must report student suicide risk to a parent and/or guardian
- Suicide prevention and/or mental health training for certain school personnel, annual
- Suicide prevention and/or mental health training for certain school personnel, not annual
- Suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention policies/programming
- Student education on suicide prevention
- Student education on mental health
Health professional training in suicide assessment, treatment and management
- Mental health professionals receive regular training
- Mental health professionals receive one time training
- Medical/surgical professionals receive regular training
- Medical/surgical professionals receive one time training
Conversion therapy bans
- Prohibits licensed/board certified mental health providers from engaging in conversion therapy with minors under 18 years of age
- Prohibits licensed/board certified mental health providers from engaging in conversion therapy with vulnerable adults
- Prohibits use of state funds for any purpose related to conversion therapy (e.g., conducting, making a referral for, or extending health benefits coverage for)
University and college campus suicide prevention
- Inclusion of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and/or other crisis line(s) on student ID cards
- Students receive information on available mental health and/or suicide prevention services and/or resources
- Adoption of suicide prevention/awareness policy or program
Advocate for suicide prevention
Learn how our volunteer Field Advocates are helping to pass suicide prevention legislation and policies that can save lives