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Suicide Training and Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention Act of 2021

Floor Speech

Date: May 11, 2021
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: K-12 Education Health and Health Care

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Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, we have all worked together on this very powerful bill. There is no higher priority than keeping our children safe. I think most people know that.

Since 2010, suicide has been the second leading cause of death for young Americans ages 10 through 24. From 2007 to 2015, the number of children and teens visiting the emergency room for suicide-related injuries doubled. In 2017, 517 Americans, aged 10 through 14, and 6,252, aged 15 through 24, committed suicide. Sadly, some communities in my district are among those with the highest suicide rates in Florida. I represent the Tampa Bay area, Madam Speaker.

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 a student reported concerns about a threat, a plot, or other concerning behavior involving a peer.

H.R. 586, the Suicide Training and Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention Act, or the STANDUP Act, encourages States, Tribes, and schools to create policies for student suicide prevention training utilizing 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 sorely need.

I have seen firsthand, Madam Speaker, the power of work like this through nonprofits like Sandy Hook Promise, and SAVE Promise Clubs at my children's school actually at Palm Harbor University High School, which is located in Palm Harbor, Florida, in my district. When properly equipped, students can be empowered to prevent violence in their schools.

I appreciate the bipartisan work of my colleagues, and, of course, we actually sponsored this bill with Congressman Peters. I also want to thank the chairman for placing the bill on the agenda and working with us.

I urge my colleagues to join us in passing this critical legislation to help reverse the troubling trend of youth suicide and violence.

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