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Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19) today spoke on the House Floor to recognize September as National Suicide Prevention Month and called for bold, bipartisan solutions to ensure anyone suffering with a mental health disorder can access quality treatment.

Rep. Molinaro has been a leading advocate in New York for expanding mental health and addiction services. As County Executive, he developed a County Stabilization Center that offered walk-in care for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. This center became a model for numerous other Stabilization Centers that have opened throughout New York State.  

In Congress, Rep. Molinaro has built on this work. He’s advocated for expanded federal funding for local mental health facilities, crisis response services, the 9-8-8 Crisis Lifeline, and worked with local partners to get Sullivan County designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).

Rep. Molinaro’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, can be found below and viewed here.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize September as National Suicide Prevention Month.

The mental health crisis is one of the greatest public health emergencies of our lifetime. In 2022 alone, we lost nearly 50,000 Americans to suicide. And among younger populations, the statistics are alarming. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-14 and the 3rd leading cause of death among people aged 15-24 in the U.S. 

No community is immune from suicide, and addressing this crisis requires bold and bipartisan efforts from Congress.

We have made great strides in increasing access to help by rolling out the 9-8-8 Lifeline and making other investments in mental health programs. But, there is more to do – to raise awareness, reduce the stigma associated with seeking care, and ensure anyone who needs help is able to get treatment, regardless of their zip code.