WASHINGTON, DC -- Seeking to improve mental health services for young people and prevent the tragedy of youth suicide, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today led a bipartisan group of 20 Senators in introducing the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act Reauthorization.

The reauthorization will help improve access to counseling for at-risk teens and promote the development of statewide strategies for suicide early intervention and prevention.  It will also increase federal funding for competitive grants to help states, colleges, universities, and tribes improve mental and behavioral health counseling services.  Overall, the bill authorizes the federal government to award up to $48.5 million annually to help states and non-profit institutions prevent youth suicide.

Suicide is now the third leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults age 10 to 24 – and results in approximately 4,600 lives lost each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Additionally, the CDC reports that 157,000 young adults in this age group are treated for self-inflicted injuries annually, often as the result of a failed suicide attempt.

“We are losing far too many young people in this country to the tragedy of suicide.  We must do more to end the stigma attached to mental illness and improve the mental and behavioral health of children and young adults before they hurt themselves or others.  Many young people have a treatable mental illness, but they don't get the help they need.  This bill provides critical resources for prevention and outreach programs to help reach at-risk youth before it is too late,” said Senator Jack Reed, who noted that in Rhode Island the rate of self-harm injuries is slightly higher than the national rate.  “Schools, colleges, and universities are on the front lines of preventing youth suicide and this bill will help provide them with additional resources to diagnose and treat our young people, as well as improve access to care by supporting the training of more qualified mental health professionals.”

“Despair is a hole that far too many young Americans fall into, and we must empower youth with the tools and services to avoid the irreversible mistake of taking their own life,” said Senator Lisa Murkowski.  “Far too many young Alaskans are lost to this epidemic as we face the worst suicide rates in the nation.  We owe it to them and our nation’s future to craft proactive policies that stop this cycle and build a better-informed network of experts and counselors that will truly listen to them.”

In addition to Reed and Murkowski, the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act Reauthorization is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-NM), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chris Coons (D-DE), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Jon Tester (D-MT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV).

The federally-funded National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -- 1-800-273-TALK (8255) -- is a free, 24-hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress that is operated by a national network of more than 140 suicide prevention crisis centers around the United States.  The Rhode Island Youth Suicide Prevention Project also offers resources for teens in crisis.

The reauthorization bill is named for then-Senator Gordon Smith's (R-OR) 22-year old son, Garrett, who was a student at Utah Valley University when he took his own life in September of 2003.  Gordon Smith, with Reed and Murkowski as cosponsors, authored the original bill in 2004 and has championed suicide prevention and mental health initiatives.

Specifically, the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act Reauthorization would continue the following efforts:

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center

Ensures grantees receive appropriate information, training, and technical assistance on:

  • Developing and implementing cost-effective early intervention programs;
  • Identifying and understanding the causes and associated risk factors for suicide;
  • Surveying suicidal behavior and non-fatal suicide attempts; and
  • Evaluating and disseminating outcomes and best practices of mental health and substance use disorder services.

The bill would increase the authorization from $5 million to $6 million annually through fiscal year (FY) 2020.

Youth Suicide Intervention and Prevention Strategy Grants to States and Tribes

Provides States and Tribes/Tribal organizations the authorization to develop and implement:

  • Early intervention, assessment, and treatment services;
  • Information and awareness campaigns;
  • Evaluations of intervention and prevention practices and strategies; and
  • Training programs for providers and child care professionals.

The bill would increase the authorization from $30 million to $35.5 million annually through FY2020.

Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services and Outreach on Campus

Enables colleges and universities to prevent youth suicide by authorizing:

  • Educational and outreach activities on suicide prevention;
  • The development and implementation of evidence-based and emerging best practices;
  • The provision of mental health and substance use disorder services, including prevention, promotion of mental health, and voluntary screening; and
  • The employment and training of personnel.

The bill would increase the authorization from $5 million to $7 million annually through FY2020.

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