[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 107 (Thursday, June 23, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H5840-H5842]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




ENHANCING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION THROUGH CAMPUS PLANNING 
                                  ACT

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules

[[Page H5841]]

and pass the bill (H.R. 5407) to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 
to promote comprehensive campus mental health and suicide prevention 
plans, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5407

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Enhancing Mental Health and 
     Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning Act''.

     SEC. 2. ENCOURAGING CAMPUS COMPREHENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH AND 
                   SUICIDE PREVENTION PLANS.

       Part L of title VIII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 1161l et seq.) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating section 826 as section 827; and
       (2) by inserting after section 825 the following new 
     section:

     ``SEC. 826. ENCOURAGING CAMPUS COMPREHENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH 
                   AND SUICIDE PREVENTION PLANS.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall make efforts to 
     encourage institutions of higher education to develop and 
     implement evidence-based comprehensive campus mental health 
     and suicide prevention plans. Such efforts--
       ``(1) shall be conducted in coordination with the Secretary 
     of Health and Human Services (acting through the Assistant 
     Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use);
       ``(2) shall align with--
       ``(A) the efforts and approaches recommended by the Suicide 
     Prevention Resource Center;
       ``(B) the programs authorized under section 9032 of the 
     21st Century Cures Act (42 U.S.C. 290bb-36b note; Public Law 
     114-255), the amendments made by section 9031 of such Act to 
     section 520E-2 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
     290bb-36b), and the amendment made by section 9033 of such 
     Act to part D of title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 
     U.S.C. 290dd et seq.); and
       ``(C) the programs authorized under the Garrett Lee Smith 
     Memorial Act (42 U.S.C. 201 note; Public Law 108-355);
       ``(3) shall take into consideration existing Federal and 
     State efforts to address mental health and suicide prevention 
     at institutions of higher education; and
       ``(4) may be carried out in collaboration with nonprofit 
     organizations, community-based organizations that partner 
     with institutions of higher education, and other experts and 
     stakeholders in the field of campus mental health and suicide 
     prevention.
       ``(b) Reports.--The Secretary shall report to the Committee 
     on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and 
     the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of 
     the Senate on the efforts of the Secretary carried out under 
     this section--
       ``(1) not later than one year after the date of enactment 
     of the Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through 
     Campus Planning Act; and
       ``(2) three years after the date of enactment of such Act.
       ``(c) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed as creating new statutory requirements for 
     institutions of higher education or granting the Secretary 
     new regulatory authority.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Scott) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Keller) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, over the last 2 years, our Nation's college students 
have grappled with a mental health crisis that was significantly 
worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. A national survey last year found 
that 65 percent of students reported having poor or only fair mental 
health. And according to the CDC, suicide attempts amongst females aged 
15 to 23 increased by 87 percent from 2007 through 2020.
  The surging mental health needs of students on college campuses have 
further strained campus-based mental health care providers. Since the 
start of the pandemic, campus counseling centers have been forced to 
respond to an increased demand for services without the funding, 
staffing, and resources that they need.
  Regrettably, insufficient access to mental health care during the 
pandemic has exacerbated preexisting mental health inequities. A 2015 
survey indicated that students of color are significantly less likely 
to be diagnosed or treated for mental health conditions than White 
students. The gaps between the increased mental health needs of 
students and the limited capacity of institutions to address them 
demand urgent action.
  In response to this crisis, the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. 
Wild), along with the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Keller), 
introduced a bill, Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention 
Through Campus Planning Act.
  This bill will help institutions of higher education develop 
comprehensive mental health and suicide prevention plans to better 
support mental health needs of college students.
  Specifically, the legislation directs the Department of Education to 
build on existing mental health programs to create evidence-based 
approaches to suicide prevention and mental health care. And it would 
encourage the Department to collaborate with State agencies, nonprofit 
organizations, and stakeholders to help ensure that these programs 
fully meet the needs of students.

                              {time}  1245

  In other words, the Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention 
Through Campus Planning Act is a critical opportunity for each of us to 
stand up for the healthcare needs of our Nation's students and ensure 
that we care for their well-being.
  I thank Ms. Wild and Mr. Keller for their work on this critical 
priority, and I urge a ``yes'' vote on this bill.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KELLER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Today, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5407, the bipartisan 
Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning 
Act.
  The mental health of our Nation's students is on the minds of many 
Americans. According to a study by Boston University, mental health 
issues increased steadily over the past 8 years among college students. 
In fact, 60 percent of students met the criteria for at least one 
mental health problem, including increased rates of anxiety, 
depression, and thoughts of suicide.
  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 
approximately 25 percent of 18-to-24-year-olds surveyed in 2020 had 
seriously considered suicide. Unfortunately, these issues were made 
only worse by the pandemic. Clearly, something needs to be done.
  That is why I joined my Pennsylvania colleague, Representative Wild, 
in introducing H.R. 5407. This legislation will encourage institutions 
of higher education to develop comprehensive mental health and suicide 
prevention plans to support college students.
  H.R. 5407 directs the Secretary of Education to encourage 
institutions of higher education to develop and implement comprehensive 
campus mental health and suicide prevention plans. The bill also 
directs the Department of Education and the Department of Health and 
Human Services to work together in a way that will allow the 
institutions to draw from existing evidence-based approaches and 
programs enacted by the 21st Century Cures Act, the Garrett Lee Smith 
Memorial Act, and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, as well as 
other existing Federal and State programs.
  We all want to see our Nation's students thrive and succeed. Yet, 
many students are battling severe depression and contemplating suicide. 
We must all come together to prevent such tragedy. The best way to do 
this is to ensure that students know safe resources are nearby, so they 
can get the mental health support they need.
  It is time to break down barriers to mental health access. This means 
breaking down the stigmas and the practical barriers associated with 
seeking mental health services. That is what this bill seeks to do.
  Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote for H.R. 5407, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may 
consume to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Wild), the sponsor of 
this legislation.
  Ms. WILD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak about this bipartisan

[[Page H5842]]

bill, H.R. 5407, the Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention 
Through Campus Planning Act, which will be taken up for consideration 
today.
  Supporting the young people of our country is not a partisan issue. I 
thank the co-lead of this bill, Representative Fred Keller, and the 
original cosponsors, Representatives Fitzpatrick, Raskin, Stevens, 
Trone, Scanlon, Moulton, Grijalva, Roybal-Allard, Dean, Harder, and 
DeSaulnier for their support.
  In the last several years, young Americans have faced unprecedented 
challenges resulting in a rise in mental health needs. College campus 
counseling centers have been tasked with responding to this increased 
demand for mental health services with limited staff, funding, and 
resources.
  The mental health effects of the pandemic are widespread, with a 
study conducted by Pennsylvania State University reporting that 94 
percent of students seeking mental health services said that COVID-19 
negatively impacted at least one area of their life and 72 percent 
reporting that the pandemic's main impact has been on their mental 
health.
  To help institutions of higher education better serve students, once 
passed, this bill will encourage colleges and universities to develop 
and implement mental health programs in concert with both State-level 
programs and community-based organizations.
  During my visits to colleges in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania, 
even before the pandemic, students shared with me the importance of 
improving mental health care access on campus.
  Today, I am proud that the Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide 
Prevention Through Campus Planning Act will receive a vote, and I look 
forward to casting mine in support.
  Mr. KELLER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  In closing, I want to discuss the importance of what we are doing. 
COVID-19 burdened young people with more anxiety, stress, and isolation 
than ever before. Now, they need support that works.
  According to one study, mental health problems among young adults 
rose 50 percent over the past 10 years. Many of us have seen the young 
people in our lives struggling, and it is devastating to watch.
  I am dedicated to serving the needs of students nationwide. To me, 
this bill is a no-brainer.
  Empowering postsecondary institutions to develop comprehensive 
suicide prevention plans and partner with community-based mental health 
organizations will do much to solve this mental health crisis. This 
critical investment in the mental health of our young people is an 
investment in the future of this country.
  Lastly, I express my gratitude to my colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle for working together on this important legislation.
  Madam Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on 
H.R. 5407, and I yield back the balance of my time.

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of 
my time.
  Madam Speaker, the evidence is clear that our Nation's students are 
continuing to grapple with an ongoing mental health crisis. Even as we 
continue to recover from COVID-19, we are still seeing far too many 
students suffer from depression, anxiety, and stress without the 
support and services they need to get back on their feet.
  Madam Speaker, students in this country should not have to grapple 
with serious mental health challenges on their own. However, we cannot 
expect campus mental health care providers to support students if we do 
not support them with the resources that they need.
  The Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus 
Planning Act is legislation that we need to help ensure that our 
institutions of higher education are equipped to support students' 
mental health, both during the pandemic and into the future.
  I, again, thank the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Wild) and the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Keller) for their leadership and 
cooperation on this bill.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this 
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
5407--to amend the ``Higher Education Act of 1965'' to promote 
comprehensive campus mental health and suicide prevention plans within 
the Higher Education Act of 1965.
  The mental health crisis plaguing our Nation is astounding. 
Particularly in our Nation's institutions of higher education, we see 
higher reported rates of anxiety and depression, which have 
unfortunately led some students to suicide.
  According to studies done in the year 2020, suicide was the 12th 
leading cause of death within the Unites States. Within this year, 
45,979 Americans died by suicide, and an estimated 1.2 million 
Americans attempted suicide.
  Within the reported suicide rates of 2020, people ranging from ages 
15-34 made up 32.59 percent of the total.
  The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the mental health crisis showing a 
25 percent increase in the number of depression and anxiety cases 
recorded globally.
  In my home state of Texas 34.2 percent of adults reported symptoms of 
anxiety and depression between September 29, 2021, and October 11, 
2021.
  The transition period into institutions of higher education can be 
difficult for numerous reasons. Some of the leading triggers for 
anxiety and depression are the constant pressure for success, 
homesickness, adjustment to workload, or even the social aspects of the 
collegiate environment.
  No matter the cause, it is our job as elected officials of the United 
States to ensure that we are putting our time and resources into 
ensuring that we are providing outlets for those struggling with mental 
health issues to seek refuge.
  I want to be very clear when I say that providing these resources 
alone will not ensure that zero lives are taken at the hands of mental 
health struggles.
  However, taking the steps to ensure that there are proper resources 
and parameters in place on the campuses of our college campuses will 
aid in helping our young adults receive the assistance they need to 
lead healthy lives.
  We cannot sit idly as our Nation stares down the barrel of an all-
time low for mental health.
  By invoking comprehensive mental health and suicide prevention plans 
across higher education institutions, we are pouring into our next 
generations.
  H.R. 5407 allows for collegiate institutions to draw on the expertise 
and resources provided by the Suicide Prevention Centers nine strategy 
model, while also working with the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services to create a comprehensive approach to mental health concerns 
and suicide prevention.
  This mental health assistance model will allow for all institutions 
throughout the Nation to collectively pool together and ensure each 
campus is administering the highest level of care for students with 
mental health struggles.
  I urge for each of my colleagues to vote in support of H.R. 5407 to 
help us get our college students across the stage.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 5407, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. GOOD of Virginia. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

                          ____________________