Suicide Training and Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention Act of 2020

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the ranking member and the chairman for all of their good work and, of course, Congressman Peters. This is a great committee, and we get things done, that is for sure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7293, the Suicide Training and Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention Act, or the STAND-UP Act.

There is no higher priority than keeping our children safe. I think everyone agrees with that. Since 2010, suicide has been the second- leading cause of death for young Americans ages 10-24, unfortunately.

From 2007 to 2015, the number of children and teens visiting emergency rooms for suicide-related injuries doubled. In 2017, 517 Americans aged 10-14, and 6,252 aged 15-24, committed suicide. Sadly, some communities in my district are among those with the highest suicide rates in Florida.

Research has shown that most of these young Americans tell someone that they are contemplating suicide or school violence, and 68 percent of averted violence was stopped because of a student reporting concerns about a threat, plot, or other concerning behavior involving a peer.

The STAND-UP Act encourages States, Tribes, and schools to create policies for student suicide prevention training using SAMHSA-provided best practices, training, and technical assistance.

By providing high-quality screening and prevention training to school staff and peers, threats can be identified before they materialize, and those who are at risk have an opportunity to get the mental health treatment they need and deserve.

I have seen firsthand the power of this particular program through, again, nonprofits, like Sandy Hook Promise. They have been very instrumental in getting this bill done, with their SAVE Promise Club.

My kids have gone to Palm Harbor University. I still have one there, and that is in my district. Mr. Speaker, when properly equipped, students can be empowered to prevent violence in their schools, and I have witnessed the great work that they do in that particular school.

I appreciate the bipartisan work of my colleague, again, Congressman Peters, and I urge my colleagues to join us in passing this critical piece of legislation to reverse the troubling trend of youth suicide and violence.

We have to get this through the Senate as well and to the President's desk, Mr. Speaker.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source