[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 22, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S3078]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REED (for himself and Mr. Moran):
  S. 4448. A bill to authorize a pilot program to expand and intensify 
surveillance of self-harm in partnership with State and local public 
health departments, to establish a grant program to provide self-harm 
and suicide prevention services in hospital emergency departments, and 
for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, as we all know too well, rates of suicide 
have risen to epidemic levels in the United States, with suicide now 
the 10th leading cause of death in the country. On average, there are 
130 suicides every day, roughly 1 every 11 minutes. These are 
staggering statistics behind which there are tragic stories of loss. 
That is why I am joining Senator Moran to introduce the Suicide 
Prevention Act.
  Our bipartisan, bicameral bill would provide new resources to help 
turn the tide on this disturbing trend. It would authorize new funding 
for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, partner with 
State and local health departments to improve surveillance of suicide 
attempts and other incidences of self-harm. Data collection efforts 
regarding suicide often occur years after the fact, which limits the 
ability of State and local health departments, as well as community 
organizations, to recognize trends early and intervene. CDC has already 
begun some of this work as a pilot program, but the Suicide Prevention 
Act would expand these efforts and enhance data collection so we can 
respond to new trends quickly and save lives.
  We know that emergency healthcare providers are often at the 
frontlines of responding to suicide attempts. Approximately 37 percent 
of individuals without a previous history of mental health or substance 
abuse who die by suicide make an emergency department visit within the 
year before their death. According to the Suicide Prevention Resource 
Center, the risk of suicide is greatest within a month of discharge 
from the hospital. To help ensure our emergency healthcare 
professionals have the tools to respond, the bill would also authorize 
funding for a grant program within the Substance Abuse and Mental 
Health Services Administration, SAMHSA, to help better train emergency 
department staff to implement suicide prevention strategies, screen at-
risk patients, and refer patients to appropriate followup care. The 
legislation would also require SAMHSA to develop best practices for 
such programs, so that healthcare providers are able to provide their 
patients with the best possible care and advice.
  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. In addition 
to the Suicide Prevention Act, we must reauthorize the Garrett Lee 
Smith Memorial Act, which I am working with Senator Murkowski to do. 
Despite the troubling national trend, programs under this law have 
contributed to declines in the youth suicide rates in my home State of 
Rhode Island over the last decade.
  We must also invest in the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and 
the new nationwide three-digit 9-8-8 number, which is scheduled to go 
live this summer. Senator Moran and I have teamed up on the National 
Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act that will increase funding 
for the Lifeline and make key improvements, such as enhance texting 
capability.
  Today, I am pleased to have the opportunity to partner with Senator 
Moran once again by introducing the Suicide Prevention Act. This bill 
is one more step Congress can take to combat the mental health and 
suicide crisis in our country. I look forward to working with Senator 
Moran and advocates in Rhode Island and across the country to make a 
difference in addressing this epidemic.
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