WASHINGTON, D.C. —  Today, Congressman Christian D. Menefee (TX-18) and Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-24) introduced H.R. 10991, the Suicide Prevention for At-Risk K-12 Students (SPARKS) Act, legislation to help public schools implement proven suicide prevention programs tailored to the needs of their students.

Suicide was the second-leading cause of death among Americans ages 10 to 24 in 2023. Suicide rates among Black youth more than doubled between 2010 and 2023, while American Indian and Alaska Native youth continue to face the highest rates. Yet, many schools lack the resources to address this growing crisis. By expanding access to effective, culturally responsive prevention programs, the SPARKS Act would give schools more tools to identify at-risk students, address disparities, and save young lives.

“Our schools are on the front lines of this crisis, and we need to make sure they have the tools to step in before it's too late. What works for kids in one community might not work for kids in another. We ought to be meeting these children where they are, not expecting every child to fit into the same box. That's what the SPARKS Act is about. Giving schools the resources to reach kids who are hurting and, ultimately, save lives,” said Congressman Menefee.

“Our children are hurting, and we cannot afford to look away,” said Congresswoman Wilson. “As a former teacher and principal, I have always believed that protecting our children means seeing the whole child, understanding their struggles, and making sure they know they matter. The SPARKS Act would help schools prevent youth suicide with proven programs that reflect the cultures and experiences of the students they serve. I am proud to co-lead this legislation because every child deserves to be heard, supported, and given a chance to grow up and fulfill their dreams.”

The legislation has earned endorsements from leading suicide prevention organizations, including the American Association of Suicidology (AAS), Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE), and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).

“Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24, with American Indian and Alaska Native youth facing the highest rates while suicide deaths among Black youth climb sharply,” said Jenna Mehnert Baker, DPA, MSW, CEO of the American Association of Suicidology. “The American Association of Suicidology is proud to support the SPARKS Act because closing these disparities requires prevention built for the young people it serves, not a one-size-fits-all approach. Ensuring schools and communities adopt population-specific and research-informed practices is central to AAS’s mission of advancing culturally responsive suicide prevention and intervention.”

“Through SAVE’s Green Bandana Project, we work with students across the country to help them understand what mental health and suicide prevention resources are available and how to reach out for support before or during a crisis. We also work alongside hundreds of organizations throughout the country, including organizations in Texas, to protect children online. Across this work, we see firsthand how barriers to support and treatment affect underserved communities, including young people of color and LGBTQ+ youth. Every young person deserves access to help that respects who they are and understands their experiences. The SPARKS Act would help schools implement evidence-based suicide prevention programs that reflect the needs of the students and communities they serve. SAVE strongly endorses this legislation, and I look forward to working with Representative Menefee and members of both parties to get it passed and signed into law,” said Erich Mische, CEO of SAVE – Suicide Awareness Voices of Education.

The SPARKS Act would direct the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to:

• Identify proven, culturally responsive suicide prevention programs for public K-12 schools.
• Fund two-year grants to implement and evaluate these programs.
• Support schools with technical assistance to improve prevention efforts.
• Report findings to Congress to guide future suicide prevention investments.

Additional co-leads of the legislation include Reps. LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).

Click HERE to read the full bill text

Click HERE for a one-pager of the bill