Letter to ESEA Conference Committee - Youth Suicide in Indian Country

Letter

Dear Chairman Alexander, Chairman Kline, Ranking Member Murray, and Ranking Member Scott:

Thank you for your continued leadership and efforts to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). As you seek to conference the House- and Senate-passed bills, I ask that you retain the Senate-passed provisions that I authored that would help address the serious suicide epidemic in Indian Country in my state.

S. Amdt. 2155, which was adopted by unanimous consent, would require the secretaries of education, interior, and health and human services to report on the efforts to address outbreaks of suicides among elementary school and secondary school students in Indian Country. Specifically, the report would include a federal response to this crisis, a list of federal resources available to prevent and respond to student suicide outbreaks, and interagency collaboration efforts to streamline access to response programs.

My second amendment, S. Amdt. 2232, would expand the authorized use of Project SERV extended services grants to include initiating or strengthening prevention activities in cases of chronic trauma or violence, such as the suicide crisis in Indian Country or gang violence in schools. This narrow expansion of authorization for grant recipients, which would remain subject to the discretion of the secretary of education, would better help restore and preserve the learning environment for students.

One of the greatest tragedies that can befall a family is the loss of a child to suicide. Sadly, suicide is the second leading cause of death for Indian youth in Indian Health Service areas, where the death rate is four times the national average. I am hopeful that my amendments will help address this pressing issue, and I respectfully request they be retained by the ESEA conference committee.

Kindest regards,

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