Debbie Dingell: “I rise in support of S. 2634, the ``Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act.'' This bill contains a variety of programs aimed at…”

“I rise in support of S. 2634, the ``Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act.'' This bill contains a variety of programs aimed at youth suicide early intervention and prevention, including campus mental and behavioral health service centers. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to read the findings in this bill. They contain alarming statistics on the incidence of youth suicide in this country. For example, according to the CDC, suicide is the third overall cause of death among college age students. More than 4,000 children and young adults take their life each year, and the rate of youth suicides in increasing. The American College Health Association reports that 9 percent of college students have felt suicidal. While this bill contains many find provisions, it does contain language on parental consent that has drawn expressions of concern from a variety of mental health advocates. I hope that as this bill moves further along in the legislative process we can modify it further so that these concerns are reduced or eliminated.”