Help House Champions Secure Needed Funds for Important Suicide Prevention Programs

APA Public Interest Policy Office: March 15, 2006

Help House Champions Secure Needed Funds for Important Suicide Prevention Programs

We are seeking your help once again to garner support for increased FY2007 funding for the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act programs, aimed at addressing the tragedy of suicide and to make funds available for mental and behavioral health services on college campuses.

Representatives Danny Davis, Bart Gordon, and Tom Osborne are circulating a letter requesting additional Members of the U.S. House of Representatives to sign onto a "Funding Request Letter." A copy of the letter can be found here: http://www.apa.org/ppo/ppan/approp06ltr.html.

These programs provide federal funds for strengthening and expanding suicide prevention programs targeted at youth and young adults. Funded at $26.6 million in FY2006, grants have been made to entities and institutions across the country. Sustaining and increasing these funds is urgently needed. Suicide is currently the third leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 15-24.

Weighing in with your Members of Congress can make a significant difference in whether or not they will go on record supporting an increase in funding for these programs. So please take a moment to contact your Representative by entering your zip in the box.

Please distribute this message widely to other colleagues or listservs that might have an interest. Thanks again for your continued involvement in garnering support for these critically important programs.

For more information or for questions about this alert please call the Public Policy Office at (202) 336-6062.