Child Suicide Prevention Act

This bill establishes two grant programs and mandates the creation of an informational website, all aimed at reducing suicide rates among individuals under 26 years of age. The first program authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible entities, such as states, health departments, and hospitals, to establish or expand programs implementing evidence-aligned practices in healthcare settings. These grants are designed to educate and train healthcare providers on critical aspects of suicide prevention and intervention. Grant funds will be utilized to train providers on the identification of high-risk individuals using validated screening techniques, effective communication regarding lethal means safety —including the safe storage of firearms—and understanding various covered risk factors such as substance abuse, psychiatric conditions, and LGBTQ+ identity. Training also encompasses suicide prevention, intervention, support strategies after an attempt, and awareness of racial and ethnic disparities. Up to 15 percent of these funds may be used to provide secure gun storage or safety devices at reduced or no cost to residences with covered individuals, coupled with appropriate counseling. The second grant program targets eligible schools, including medical and nursing schools, to develop and integrate suicide prevention and lethal means safety curricula into their educational and continuing education programs. This curriculum will cover topics such as firearm safety laws, best practices for communicating with patients and families about lethal means, and evidence-aligned strategies for suicide prevention and intervention. Finally, the bill mandates the creation of a public informational website to provide best practices for suicide prevention and firearm safety to youth, their families, and healthcare providers, with content updated based on grant reports.