Matsui Applauds Passage of the Suicide Prevention Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) applauded the House's passage of her legislation, the Suicide Prevention Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to provide new resources to help reverse the tragic rise of suicide across the nation.

Rates of suicide have risen to epidemic levels in the United States. Suicide is now the tenth leading cause of death and on average, there are roughly 129 deaths by suicide every day. This bill would enhance the collection of data on suicides and sharing that data, as appropriate, in real-time to help save lives. The bill also provides funding for suicide prevention programs in emergency departments to train and equip personnel to recognize, treat, and prevent suicidal behaviors.

"The Suicide Prevention Act is an important step to better recognize suicide trends, intervene earlier, and save lives," said Congresswoman Matsui. "Even in the middle of this pandemic, we cannot afford to further ignore the troublesome reality of suicide rates in America. It is essential that we give our emergency departments and providers all of the tools at our disposal to effectively track suicide attempts and instances of self-harm. With American lives at stake every day we need to act now. Today, the House acted decisively to make sure that this bipartisan legislation moved forward, and now the Senate must do the same."

The Suicide Prevention Act:

Expands Data Collection to Improve Prevention Efforts
This legislation would authorize funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to partner with state and local health departments to improve surveillance of suicide attempts and other incidences of self-harm. Current data collection efforts regarding suicide are often years after the fact, which limits the ability of state and local health departments, as well as community organizations, to recognize trends early and intervene. This bill would enhance data collection and sharing, as appropriate, in real-time, to help save lives.

Prevents Suicide Among Emergency Department Patients
Recognizing that emergency health care providers are at the frontlines of responding to suicide attempts, this bill would authorize funding for a grant program within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to fund suicide prevention programs in emergency departments (ED) to better train staff in suicide prevention strategies, screen at-risk patients, and refer patients to appropriate follow-up care. The legislation would also require SAMHSA to develop best practices for such programs, so that health care providers are able to provide their patients with the best possible care and advice. Approximately 37 percent of individuals without a previous history of mental health or substance abuse who die by suicide make an ED visit within the year before their death. According to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, the risk of suicide is greatest within a month of discharge from the hospital.

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