[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 168 (Friday, December 17, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10514-S10515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DODD (for himself, Mr. Reed, Mr. Durbin, and Mr. Udall of 
        New Mexico):
  S. 4043. A bill to revise and extend provisions under the Garrett Lee 
Smith Memorial Act; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Garrett Lee 
Smith Memorial Act, GLSMA, Reauthorization. Six years ago, my former 
colleague Senator Gordon Smith and I introduced the original GLSMA to 
address the public health challenge of youth suicide by providing 
funding to states, Indian tribes, colleges, and universities to develop 
suicide prevention and intervention programs. Our bill made great 
strides in combating the growing problem of youth suicide. However, our 
work remains unfinished. For this reason, joined by colleagues Senator 
Jack Reed, Senator Richard Durbin, and Senator Tom Udall, I am 
introducing a reauthorization bill to strengthen the existing Federal, 
State, and local efforts.
  Last year, more than 4,000 Americans between the ages of 15 to 24 
died by suicide, making suicide the third leading cause of death for 
this age group and the second leading cause of death among college 
students. These numbers are devastating. During an economic crisis, the 
situation is becoming more dire for young adults across the country. 
Over the past two years, we have seen a substantial increase of calls 
into suicide crisis centers. Many of these centers are threatened with 
cutbacks in funding from State and local governments. Despite the 
success of GLSMA, the latest Indian Health Service numbers show that 
suicide is the second leading cause of death for American Indian and 
Alaska Native youth ages 10-24.
  Youth suicide represents both a public and mental health tragedy--a 
tragedy that knows no geographic, racial, ethnic, cultural, or 
socioeconomic boundaries. Regrettably, it is one of the leading causes 
of death among our nation's children; however, suicide is preventable 
and its causes are treatable. It has been proven that early 
intervention in mental health problems leads to the most effective 
treatment. The funding provided through the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial 
Act supports critical resources our young people need to develop into 
healthy, happy adults.
  The Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act provides federal grants to promote 
the

[[Page S10515]]

development of statewide suicide early intervention and prevention 
strategies intended to identify and reach out to young people who need 
mental health services. In addition, this bill makes competitive grants 
available to colleges and universities to create or enhance the 
schools' mental and behavioral health programs. It is imperative that 
we reauthorize the GLSMA in order to ensure those who utilize those 
important programs continue getting the aid they need before it is too 
late.
  Our reauthorization effort increases funding to the existing programs 
and make important policy changes to the campus grant program. Whereas 
the funding level for all three programs in fiscal year 2010 is $40 
million, the reauthorization bill would bring the authorization level 
to $260 million over 5 years. As a result, this bill includes increased 
funding for the Suicide Prevention Resource Center and grants for 
state, Tribal, and campus prevention efforts. The reauthorization bill 
also incorporates changes which will allow for increased flexibility in 
the use of campus grant funds. The original GLSMA authorized the use of 
campus grant funds only for suicide prevention infrastructure, such as 
hotlines. The proposed changes would allow for additional flexibility 
in the use of these funds, including crisis counseling and training of 
campus staff and students. I believe that these uses are critical to 
suicide prevention efforts on campuses.
  I would like to take a moment to honor Garrett Lee Smith, the 
namesake of this bill. Six years ago, Garrett's father, Senator Gordon 
Smith introduced the original bill with me. Three years later, along 
with Senator Jack Reed, we introduced the original reauthorization. 
Nothing can be said or done to bring back Gordon and Sharon Smith's son 
Garrett, but their steadfast support and tireless efforts on behalf of 
young adults with mental illnesses have given their son the legacy he 
deserves.
  In addition, without the network of groups and individuals who have 
made it their mission to take on this fight, none of the progress we 
have made would have been possible. I have worked closely with these 
groups throughout my tenure in the Senate and I thank them for their 
support and assistance, and truly value the working relationship we 
have established.
  It is my hope that introducing this reauthorization bill will build 
momentum for the efforts of my colleagues during the 112th Congress, 
and I would like to thank Senator Reed, Senator Durbin, and Senator Tom 
Udall for their willingness to lead the charge into next Congress. Both 
of these Senators have been great partners on so many issues over the 
years and I am happy that they will be here next Congress to lead the 
efforts on this reauthorization.
  The GLSMA has long been a bipartisan, bicameral bill. That must 
continue next Congress. I hope that my colleagues will support this 
important legislation. We must continue to build upon these successes 
and ensure more communities are better equipped to prevent youth 
suicide through the reauthorization of the GLSMA.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I am pleased to join Senators Dodd, Durbin, 
and Tom Udall in the introduction of the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial 
Reauthorization Act. This bill, which is dedicated to the son of our 
former colleague Senator Gordon Smith, would bolster the ability of the 
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration to help prevent 
suicide among our nation's youth.
  My efforts during the original enactment of this law, and now this 
reauthorization, have been focused on enhancing suicide prevention 
programs on college campuses. Suicide is the second leading cause of 
death among college-age students in the United States, with some 1,100 
deaths by suicide occurring in this age group each year. Indeed, we can 
and must do more to curb this trend.
  The reauthorization bill we are introducing today would expand 
existing federally-funded efforts on campuses beyond outreach, 
education, and awareness about suicide and suicide prevention to 
include funding for services and the hiring of appropriately trained 
personnel. These provisions stem from a bill that I introduced in the 
108th Congress, the Campus Care and Counseling Act, and I am pleased 
that they are included in the reauthorization efforts of this law. I 
thank Senator Dodd for his leadership and hard work on this bill, and I 
look forward to continuing efforts with my colleagues to move this bill 
in the 112th Congress.
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