Education GRO staff is also meeting with House and Senate staff on the reauthorization of the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act. This important law, home to three suicide prevention programs, is currently administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate are both scheduled to take up the reauthorization of this agency during the 110th Congress.

APA's goals for the reauthorization include expanding the “Uses of Funds” under the Campus Suicide Prevention program to incorporate: prevention, screening, early intervention, assessment, treatment, management and education of mental and behavioral health problems of students enrolled in the institution of higher education; hiring appropriately trained staff, including administrative staff; providing intervention programs for developmental, transitional, and adjustment issues that affect students as they matriculate and graduate from college; strengthening and expanding mental and behavioral health training opportunities in internship and residency programs, such as psychology doctoral and post-doctoral training; supporting the use of evidence-based and emerging best practices. APA is also seeking an increase in the funding authorization level for the Campus Suicide Program as well as extending the authorization for the program.

Education GRO staff will continue to visit Congressional offices in an effort to educate hill staff about this important program and advocate for APA's recommendations for improving the program.

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