STOP Suicide

Summary#

This bill adds a new section to the Public Health Service Act to create a competitive grant program. The Assistant Secretary will award grants to eligible organizations to implement models that provide stabilization services to people with serious thoughts of suicide. Grants must support services that are suicide-specific, evidence-based or evidence-informed, and given in the least-restrictive appropriate setting. Grants can fund outpatient care, virtual care, and other technology-based approaches, and may include peer support. Applicants must include a plan for how services will be funded after the grant ends. Grants last up to 5 years and are not renewable. The Assistant Secretary must evaluate grant activities, provide training, and offer technical assistance. The bill lists types of eligible entities (for example, school-based and campus health centers, community health centers, crisis centers, state mental health agencies, territories, and tribal organizations) and defines “stabilization services.”

What it means for you#

• Eligible providers and organizations can apply for competitive grants to set up or expand short-term suicide stabilization services.
• Applicants must describe how they will continue funding services when the grant ends.
• People with serious thoughts of suicide may be served by programs funded through these grants, including in-person and virtual care and peer support, depending on local programs.
• The Assistant Secretary will evaluate the programs and share findings, and grant recipients will receive training and technical help.

Expenses#

The bill authorizes $30,000,000 to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out the grant program.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.