Senator John Kennedy called on Congress to address the high suicide rate among young adults in America, according to a May 11 op-ed published in The Hill.
Kennedy said that suicide is now the second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 24 and described it as one of the most serious challenges facing American communities. He said, “If you only read the headlines each day, you could miss one of the most serious challenges facing American communities: Suicide has become the second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 24. It’s one of those statistics that makes me reach for the sick bucket.”
Kennedy highlighted that nearly every community has experienced loss due to youth suicide and noted that this issue is worsening. “Almost every community in America has a heartbreaking story to tell about how they have lost a young man or woman with bottomless potential to suicide. Sadly, the epidemic of young adult suicide is only getting worse,” he said.
While Kennedy acknowledged that government cannot solve all underlying issues such as academic pressures and social isolation, he argued Congress can help by making mental health resources more accessible. He explained his bipartisan bill with Senator Cory Booker, stating, “That’s why Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and I introduced the Improving Mental Health Access for Students Act. This bill would require colleges and universities to list the 988 number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on each student’s identification card.” Kennedy added this measure aims to ensure students know about free and confidential counseling options when struggling with mental health or substance abuse.
Kennedy concluded by emphasizing hope for young Americans: “Every young American has the potential to change our country for the better. It makes me sick to think that 2 percent of our young people have reached a place of such hopelessness that they’ve considered harming themselves. We must do more to guarantee that every student sees the important role they play in keeping America the freest, most prosperous nation on Earth.”
Kennedy serves on Senate committees including appropriations, banking, budget and judiciary; holds top Republican positions on subcommittees related to energy, water development and economic policy; contributes as an adjunct professor; earned degrees from Vanderbilt University (magna cum laude), University of Virginia School of Law and Oxford University; authored works on Constitutional law; served as executive editor at Virginia Law Review; and was president of his senior class at Vanderbilt University—all according to his official website.
