-9999

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

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 135 suicides every day, roughly one every 11 minutes. These are staggering statistics behind which there are tragic stories of loss. That is why I am introducing the Suicide Prevention Act with my colleague Senator Moran.

Our bipartisan 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, to 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, 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 2022, over 49,000 Americans lost their lives to suicide. That same year, there were 1.6 million suicide attempts. We must renew our efforts on suicide prevention and take a holistic approach. We must also continue to invest in 9-8-8, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Senator Moran and I passed legislation in 2022 that increased funding for the lifeline and made key improvements, such as enhance texting capability, but we must do more.

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 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.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source