Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act
As many of you know, one of my "big issues" -- the ones I yell about, cheer about, etc. -- is suicide prevention. This was important enough to me that I participated in a 26 mile walk to raise money for the cause back in August 2002 and has become moreso since my friend and fellow walker Amy took her own life the following June. Please read the letter below from the legislation's sponsors and encourage your representative to vote in favor of this act.
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Dear Colleague:
Today we will vote on S. 2634, the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act. This important legislation offers a comprehensive strategy toward addressing suicide, suicide prevention, and mental and behavioral health in high schools and on college campuses. This legislation is named in honor of the son of Senator Gordon Smith (R-Oregon), who tragically ended his own life one year ago this week after years of struggle with bipolar disorder.
The facts are sobering - each year 4,000 young people take their own lives. This figure has tripled since the 1950s. More children and young adults die from suicide each year than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, and chronic lung disease combined. We are in the midst of an epidemic, and the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act addresses this critical issue.
The legislation provides grant funding to states for development of youth suicide prevention and intervention strategies through school-based programs, juvenile justice systems, local governments and private, nonprofit entities. For children with written parental consent, the bill also provides for screening programs for youth that can identify mental health and behavioral conditions that place youth at risk for suicide. In addition, it establishes a federal Suicide Prevention Technical Assistance Center.
Further, the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act contains provisions to provide grant funding to colleges and universities to establish or enhance their mental health centers and enhance suicide prevention and intervention services.
This legislation is a carefully crafted bipartisan compromise. In the Senate, this bill passed by unanimous vote. We urge you to vote with us today in support of the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act.
Sincerely,
BART GORDON
Member of Congress
GREG WALDEN
Member of Congress
DANNY DAVIS
Member of Congress
TOM OSBORNE
Member of Congress
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Dear Colleague:
Today we will vote on S. 2634, the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act. This important legislation offers a comprehensive strategy toward addressing suicide, suicide prevention, and mental and behavioral health in high schools and on college campuses. This legislation is named in honor of the son of Senator Gordon Smith (R-Oregon), who tragically ended his own life one year ago this week after years of struggle with bipolar disorder.
The facts are sobering - each year 4,000 young people take their own lives. This figure has tripled since the 1950s. More children and young adults die from suicide each year than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, and chronic lung disease combined. We are in the midst of an epidemic, and the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act addresses this critical issue.
The legislation provides grant funding to states for development of youth suicide prevention and intervention strategies through school-based programs, juvenile justice systems, local governments and private, nonprofit entities. For children with written parental consent, the bill also provides for screening programs for youth that can identify mental health and behavioral conditions that place youth at risk for suicide. In addition, it establishes a federal Suicide Prevention Technical Assistance Center.
Further, the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act contains provisions to provide grant funding to colleges and universities to establish or enhance their mental health centers and enhance suicide prevention and intervention services.
This legislation is a carefully crafted bipartisan compromise. In the Senate, this bill passed by unanimous vote. We urge you to vote with us today in support of the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act.
Sincerely,
BART GORDON
Member of Congress
GREG WALDEN
Member of Congress
DANNY DAVIS
Member of Congress
TOM OSBORNE
Member of Congress
