Reps. Carter, Moylan Introduce Student Suicide Prevention Awareness Act

Updates School Signage with SAMHSA 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Information

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and Congressman James Moylan (R-GU) introduced the bipartisan Student SuicidePrevention Awareness Act of 2026. This legislation would expand grant funds to support a public awareness campaign addressing youth mental health in middle schools and high schools. Specifically, the program would encourage schools to update their signage on campus to inform students about the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

"Too many young people are struggling with their mental health in silence, and too often help feels out of reach in a moment of crisis," said Rep. Carter. "My bill is a simple, commonsense step to ensure every student knows exactly where to turn for help. If this bill helps even one young person pause, reach out, and get the support they need, then it will have done its job."

Signage would be required to indicate this is a free and confidential service available 24 hours a day, giving students experiencing emotional distress or suicidal thoughts resources to access immediate help. Signs should be displayed, or digitally posted, in locations easily visible to students including, but not limited to, entrances and exits of the school, student common areas, school counselor offices, school nurse offices, gymnasiums, auditoriums, art rooms, music rooms, libraries, student restrooms (including bathroom stalls and sinks) and locker rooms, and digital school bulletin boards, as applicable.

"The mental health and well-being of our students must remain a national priority, including for our youth in Guam," said Rep. Moylan. "This legislation helps ensure students are aware of critical resources like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and encourages schools to foster environments where seeking help is supported and accessible. No student should feel alone in moments of crisis."

"From the first time I met Congressman Carter and his staff, I knew they would be one of the best allies on Capitol Hill for mental health and suicide prevention. The pain and struggles that I have been through as someone with Clinical Depression and past suicidal ideation should be transformed into something that can help other young people across the country. And that is what Congressman Carter is helping us do. The Student Suicide Prevention Awareness Act of 2026 is such an important step to ensuring young people know about resources like the 988 Lifeline that are available to them. I see that there is so much stigma among my peers and hesitancy to seek help, along with a general lack of awareness. We need to be teaching our children that seeking help when you are struggling is a strength, not a weakness. By strengthening Project AWARE and helping schools be trusted messengers for this work, we are truly working to save young lives and provide hope to those in need. Thank you to Representatives Carter and Moylan for bringing this bill forward," said Ayaan Moledina, high school student and Federal Policy Director, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT).

"The National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors endorses the Student Suicide Prevention Awareness Act of 2026 as this strengthens the awareness of 988 and highlights the importance of suicide prevention for youth in schools," said Brian Hepburn, MD, Executive Director, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD).

"The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is proud to support the Student Suicide Prevention Awareness Act of 2026, bipartisan legislation led by Congressman Carter (LA-02) and Delegate Moylan (GU-At-Large) to expand awareness of and access to critical mental health resources, including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline," said Laurel Stine, J.D., M.A., Executive Vice President and Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer at AFSP. "Research published in JAMA found suicide deaths among 15 to 23-year-olds were 11% lower than expected following the launch of the 988 Lifeline in July 2022 through December 2024. This legislation is a practical, life-saving step to help ensure students know where to turn during a mental health or suicide crisis. By promoting clear, consistent 988 signage in schools, it will help connect more young people to support and strengthen a culture of care, help-seeking, and suicide prevention in school communities."

Background:

In January, Congressman Carter authored the Raising Awareness for Youth Suicide (RAYS) Prevention Act. This bipartisan bill requires middle and high schools to include mental health and suicide prevention information on student identification cards and school websites.

The Student Suicide Prevention Awareness Act is endorsed by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT), National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, American Psychological Association, JJ's Hello Foundation, The Grace Loncar Foundation, Half a Sorrow Foundation, The Speedy Foundation, Western Youth Services, Jay Walkers, American Counseling Association, Inseparable, and the Association for Mental Health and Wellness.

Full text of the bill can be found here.

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