Mississippi Veterans Suicide Prevention Lifeline program; create.

SB 2426 would establish Mississippi's Veterans Suicide Prevention Lifeline program, creating a 24/7 hotline staffed by veterans trained to assist fellow veterans experiencing mental health crises. The program requires the State Veterans Affairs Board to partner with crisis centers statewide, maintain the hotline, and conduct public awareness campaigns via social media and outreach. Key requirements include developing a public implementation plan by December 2026 (with periodic updates), setting standards for call response times and staff training, and collecting demographic data to address access disparities while protecting privacy. The bill directly affects Mississippi veterans seeking immediate mental health crisis support.