March 16, 2006

The Honorable Ralph Regula, Chairman
Subcommittee on Labor, HHS,
Education and Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
2358 Rayburn HOB                                                    
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Regula and Congressman Obey:

On October 21, 2004, Congress and the President took a historic step toward ending youth suicide by signing into law the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act (GLS Act).  By improving diagnosis and access to treatment, this bill will help an untold number of young people who battle with mental illness.  Last year, we were pleased to have received $26.6 million for programs that will focus on youth suicide early intervention and prevention activities. We urge you to provide full funding – $40 million – for this vitally important program in fiscal year 2007 (FY2007).

Each year more than 3,000 Americans between the ages of 15 to 24 commit suicide, making suicide the third leading cause of death for this age group.  This is a startling statistic, made even more alarming when you consider that 70 percent of people who commit suicide tell someone about it in advance.  Yet, most of these young people have not received any sort of counseling or treatment.  This law is the first comprehensive step to target funding to states, tribes, and our colleges and universities to address youth suicide.

Funding for the Act is directed to three primary elements.  The first component is the Suicide Prevention Technical Assistance Center, which was authorized at $5 million to support its mission of providing technical assistance and support to grantees.  Additionally, $30 million is authorized to help states and tribes develop and implement statewide youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies that will raise awareness and educate people about mental illness and the risk of suicide, help identify young people with mental illnesses, and allow states to expand access to treatment options.  Finally, $5 million is necessary to fund a matching-grant program to colleges and universities to help raise awareness about youth suicide and enable those institutions to train students and faculty to identify and intervene when youth are in crisis.

On September 20, 2005, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced the FY2005 grants, which provided funding to 13 states and one tribe.  Grantees include: Arizona, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Native American Rehab Association of NW, Inc., Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.  However, every state is struggling with the challenges of helping persons with mental illness.  That is why your support for full funding is needed.  SAMHSA estimates that fully funding the GLS Act in fiscal year 2007 would allow every state to receive a grant.

We appreciate your commitment to improving the lives of persons suffering from mental disorders and look forward to working with you to make sure that the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act is fully funded in FY2007. 

Sincerely,

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