[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 107 (Thursday, June 23, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E662]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





   SUPPORTING THE PASSAGE OF THE ENHANCING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE 
 PREVENTION THROUGH CAMPUS PLANNING ACT AND THE CAMPUS PREVENTION AND 
                   RECOVERY FOR STUDENTS ACT OF 2022

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 23, 2022

  Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of 
legislation to address the mental health and substance use needs of our 
college students. Our Nation continues to struggle with adequately 
meeting these needs, resulting in devastating consequences for too many 
of our constituents.
  Milwaukee has long been a magnet for higher education. Students from 
across the globe enter our city to attend any of our twelve colleges 
and universities. When students enroll, we must offer them the support 
they need to attend and successfully complete their education. This 
includes those who need additional physical health, mental health, and 
substance misuse services during this exciting yet trying time of life.
  We know the need for mental health and substance misuse services is 
increasing in our communities. It is critical that we take steps to 
protect the mental health of all Americans, especially our college 
students. Across the country, young adults struggling with mental 
health and addiction lack access to the quality, on-campus treatment 
they desperately need. With an average of 1,100 suicides on campuses 
each year, suicide is currently the number two leading cause of death 
among college students.
  Today, I am proud to join my colleagues in supporting the passage of 
H.R. 5407, the Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through 
Campus Planning Act, and H.R. 6493, the Campus Prevention and Recovery 
for Students Act. These bills will fund programs that better support 
students on our college campuses.
  The Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus 
Planning Act would authorize federal support to encourage campuses to 
establish comprehensive, evidence-based mental health and suicide 
prevention programs that meet their student populations' diverse and 
urgent needs.
  Such plans would consider existing Federal and State efforts to 
address mental health and suicide prevention at higher education 
institutions. They must also align with existing federal and state 
programs, including those authorized under the Garrett Lee Smith 
Memorial Act.
  The Campus Prevention and Recovery for Students Act would mandate all 
college campuses receiving federal funding or participating in the 
federal student loan program to have in place evidence-based programs 
and policies that prevent alcohol and substance misuse by students and 
school employees.
  The legislation would also increase authorized funding (to $15 
million annually) for federal grants, allowing institutions of higher 
education to implement and support evidence-based programs (including 
programs to improve access to treatment, referral for treatment 
services, or crisis intervention services) that eliminate illegal 
substance use, decrease substance misuse, and improve public health and 
safety for students. Universities may utilize these funds for a range 
of new activities, including recovery support services, peer-to-peer 
counseling, and integration of campus-based health services that 
coordinate screening, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of mental, 
behavioral, and substance use disorders.
  Our students are struggling. In my home state of Wisconsin, opioid 
misuse outnumbered national trends by half a percent. According to data 
from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, 3.5 percent of 
Wisconsin youth admit to misusing opioids. Implementing the measures 
outlined in these bills will help our schools and educators provide 
much-needed support to millions of college students throughout the 
country, including an estimated 68,000 in the Milwaukee area.

                          ____________________