Underwood, Schrier, Schatz Introduce Legislation to Address Youth Mental Health Crisis
WASHINGTON – Representative Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Representative Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), and Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced the Child Suicide Prevention and Lethal Means Safety Act, legislation that addresses suicide among children and young adults by providing evidence-based training to current and future health care professionals. Suicide is currently the second leading cause of death for young people ages 10-24. From 2000 to 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that suicide rates among young Americans increased 52 percent.
“I have heard from so many young people about their challenges and struggles with mental health. We can and we must do better for our kids, and I want them to know that there is hope,” said Underwood. “Representative Schrier, Senator Schatz, and I introduced the Child Suicide Prevention and Lethal Means Safety Act to make sure health care providers are equipped with life-saving training and interventions. Our legislation takes meaningful action so that young people can get the help they need to lead safe and healthy lives.”
"As a pediatrician, I've dedicated my career to children's health and well-being, and this remains a top priority of mine in Congress. In the wake of the pandemic, and with the ever-increasing use of social media, our children are facing an unprecedented mental health crisis," said Rep. Schrier. "That's why I'm proud to introduce this legislation, which would increase the number of medical professionals who receive suicide prevention and lethal means education so they're equipped to save lives and improve children's overall mental health care."
The Child Suicide Prevention and Lethal Means Safety Act would provide funding for evidence-based training on youth suicide prevention to current and future health care professionals. Additionally, the bill creates a centralized database of resources where at-risk youth and their families, medical and nursing schools, and health care professionals can turn to for best practices in suicide prevention.
The Child Suicide Prevention and Lethal Means Safety Act has gained support from more than 30 leading health care, suicide prevention, and gun violence prevention organizations: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Public Health Association, American Psychological Association, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, National Association of Social Workers, Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs, American Hospital Association, Federation of American Hospitals, Council of Public Health Nursing Organizations, Association of Public Health Nurses, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, SMART Recovery, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, Illinois Association for Behavioral Health, PA Education Association, Association for Behavioral & Cognitive Therapies, Newtown Action Alliance Foundation, Brady: United Against Gun Violence, Everytown for Gun Safety, Sandy Hook Promise, Illinois Chapter – American Academy of Pediatrics, Doc Wayne, March for Our Lives, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Active Minds, Giffords, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, American Public Health Association – Public Health Nursing Section, Association of Community Health Nursing Educators, National Association of School Nurses, Rural Nurse Organization, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, help is available. Call, text, or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. Underwood’s website also includes a Behavioral Health Resources page to help our community find support. Visit https://underwood.house.gov/services/behavioral-health-resources to find a list of resources.
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