WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Jamie Raskin (MD-08) introduced two pieces of bipartisan legislation to invest in critically needed initiatives that help Americans experiencing mental health crises. As a rising number of Americans struggle with their mental health, the Stabilization to Prevent (STOP) Suicide Act and the 9-8-8 Connect Act would provide federal funding to organizations in our communities that are already working to support people in crisis and in recovery.
“Tens of millions of Americans have either suffered a mental health crisis or know a close loved one who has,” said Rep. Raskin. “For too many, seeking help can feel frightening or out of reach. Our bipartisan bills will help mental health care providers do their jobs and expand access to care for the many Americans who need it.”
The STOP Suicide Act, led by Rep. Raskin and Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02), expands access to evidence-based stabilization care for individuals with serious thoughts of suicide. Stabilization services can help patients reduce or eliminate imminent suicide risk and manage dangerous impulses, keeping them safe while relieving pressure on law enforcement and emergency rooms. This legislation will create a new grant program at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to expand access to effective and timely outpatient and virtual stabilization care and treatment.
“People experiencing serious thoughts of suicide often find themselves without support and timely treatment,” said Rep. Bacon. “The STOP Suicide Act will provide an important tool that will help create needed programs to deliver outpatient or telehealth stabilization services. I’m pleased to join Rep. Raskin on this legislation that will help community health centers, rural health clinics, and others create and manage these programs.”
“In 2023, 49,316 people died by suicide and 12.8 million adults experienced serious thoughts of suicide in the United States. Research shows that even brief evidence-based suicide interventions can help people manage suicidal thoughts and increase connection to follow-up care,” said Laurel Stine, J.D., M.A., Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “AFSP is proud to support the Stabilization to Prevent (STOP) Suicide Act, which supports suicide-specific stabilization services for individuals experiencing serious thoughts of suicide, helping people access interventions in the least restrictive setting possible, while relieving pressure on emergency departments and law enforcement. AFSP thanks Representative Raskin and Representative Bacon for their bipartisan leadership in advancing this important legislation.
This legislation is endorsed by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, National Alliance on Mental Illness, and the American Psychological Association.
The 9-8-8 Connect Act, led by Rep. Raskin and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), connects individuals experiencing a behavioral or mental health crisis with follow-up services and expands access to the 988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Follow-up services may include check-ins to assess well-being and level of risk, and outreach to engage at-risk individuals in services.
“A serious crisis response cannot end with the first point of contact. It must be strong enough to help carry people from a moment of danger toward stability, support, and care. The 9-8-8 Connect Act takes a smart, targeted step in that direction by strengthening follow-up support, improving access to 9-8-8, and helping direct resources where service gaps are most acute. Through my work as Co-chair of Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force and partnership with our incredible PA-1 advocates, I have seen firsthand how important that continuity can be. This is the kind of practical, life-saving reform that can close dangerous gaps and help build a better crisis response system for the people who depend on it,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick.
This legislation is endorsed by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
If you need immediate mental-health support at any time of day, dial 988 to be connected to the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Counselors can also be reached by text message or online chat. You may also dial 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Read the full text of the Stop Suicide Act here and the 9-8-8 Connect Act here.
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