Another Bilirakis Bill Becomes Law
Washington, D.C. Earlier today, President Biden signed the bipartisan Suicide and Threat Assessment Nationally Dedicated to Universal Prevention (STANDUP) Act authored by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52) into law. This critical bill is the sixth Bilirakis-bill to become law this term. It encourages schools to implement evidence-based suicide prevention training for students in grades 6 through 12.
"There is no higher priority than keeping our children safe. By providing high quality screening and prevention training to school staff and peers, we can identify threats before they materialize, and ensure that those who are at risk get the mental health treatment they need," said Bilirakis. "By expanding this highly effective training throughout the nation, we can help stop school violence and save lives."
Florida's rate of suicide is higher than the national average and has increased over the past decade. Also, while studies are ongoing, new reports indicate that COVID-19 has exacerbated children's and teens' anxiety, depression and isolation – stressors commonly associated with suicide. Mental Health America recently identified that those 11 through 17 years old are now at higher risk of anxiety and depression. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released 2020 data showing a 31 percent increase in mental health-related hospital visits in children aged 12-17 years compared to previous years.
The STANDUP Act of 2021 requires states, schools and Tribes to implement proven policies to prevent suicides in order to receive Project AWARE grants, which promote youth mental health awareness among schools and communities. These policies are vital in stopping school violence by encouraging early prevention, teaching warning signs and giving students, teachers, and administrators the tools they need to react properly to threats before tragedy occurs.
Over 50 national organizations support the STANDUP Act, including Sandy Hook Promise, a national nonprofit founded by family members who lost loved ones in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012. "The only way we can effectively prevent youth suicide is by recognizing the warning signs and taking action to get help. Equipping students to look out for one another – and themselves – is essential. Youth are more aware of what their peers are going through and often see behavior changes before the adults do. They just need to know when and how to speak up," said Mark Barden, co-founder and CEO of the Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund and father of Daniel, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting. "We thank Senators Hassan and Ernst and Representatives Peters and Bilirakis for their crucial bipartisan leadership in helping save young lives by ensuring cost is not a barrier to prevention education." Congressman Bilirakis is proud to have been named a 2022 Promise Champion Award winner from Sandy Hook Promise for his legislative leadership on this important issue.