[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 86 (Thursday, May 19, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S2623]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REED (for himself and Ms. Murkowski):
  S. 4271. A bill to reauthorize the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, 
and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
and Pensions.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I am pleased to be joined by Senator 
Murkowski in the introduction of the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act 
Reauthorization. As we know too well, rates of suicide have risen to 
epidemic levels in the United States. On average, there are 130 
suicides every day, roughly one every 11 minutes, making it the 10th 
leading cause of death among all age groups and second among people 
ages 10 to 24. These are staggering statistics behind which there are 
stories of immeasurable loss.
  After the tragic death of his son by suicide at the age of 22, our 
former colleague Senator Gordon Smith rallied support from Members 
across the aisle and in both Chambers to pass legislation focused on 
preventing suicide among children and young people. Since 2004, the 
Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act has provided critical resources for 
schools--from elementary school through college--to help at-risk youth. 
Funding under this program has supported hundreds of youth suicide 
prevention activities in all States, as well as providing grants to 
Tribes and tribal organizations, territories, and institutions of 
higher education in order to help them in the their efforts to address 
mental health and prevent suicides among students.
  The bill Senator Murkowski and I are introducing today would increase 
the authorized grant level for proven programs and initiatives designed 
to address mental illness and reduce youth suicide. It will enable more 
schools to offer critical services and make needed improvements to help 
the Garrett Lee Smith programs better serve students.
  Nationwide, suicide rates have skyrocketed over the last decade. In 
2020, nearly 46,000 Americans lost their lives to suicide. That same 
year, there were 1.2 million suicide attempts. We must renew our 
efforts on suicide prevention and take a holistic approach. Despite the 
troubling national trend, Garrett Lee Smith programs are making a 
difference and have contributed to declines in the youth suicide rate 
in my home State of Rhode Island over the last decade.
  Today, I am pleased to have the opportunity to partner with Senator 
Murkowski in introducing the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act 
Reauthorization. This bill is part of suite of initiatives Congress can 
put in place to address mental health and suicide crisis among young 
people in our country. I look forward to working with Senator Murkowski 
and advocates in Rhode Island and across the country to make a 
difference in addressing this epidemic.
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