(Sept. 29, 2006) -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed SB 1356 by State Senator Alan Lowenthal (D, LB-SP-PV) that would have put a statutory mandate on the CA Dept. of Mental Health to adopt and distribute a statewide strategic plan for suicide prevention, incorporating to the extent appropriate and feasible the strategic plan developed by the Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network-California (which sponsored the bill).

Gov. Schwarzenegger said in his veto message that while he agrees "with the goal of SB 1356 to provide a plan to better coordinate state and local suicide prevention efforts," he believes the bill's goals "can best be addressed administratively." Accordingly, he's "directing the Department and the Health and Human Services Agency to build on the work done by the California Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network and coordinate with all interested constituency groups and state and local agencies in the development of a statewide strategic plan on suicide prevention no later than May 1, 2008."

SB 1356 would have required, by May 1, 2008, the State Department of Mental Health, in consultation with specified state departments, to adopt and distribute a statewide strategic suicide prevention plan that incorporates, to the extent appropriate and feasible, the strategic plan developed by the Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network-California and guidelines to counties and local mental health departments to consider for Proposition 63 funding.

In addition to support from the Suicide Prevention Network-California, the bill was backed by the California Catholic Conference, California Council of Community Mental Health Agencies, California Mental Health Directors Association, Flags Help Red, Mental Health Association of California and Scripps Mercy Hospital, Trauma Division.

Governor Schwarzenegger's veto message follows verbatim: