Los Angeles, CA (January 23, 2013) – In 2004, the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act created a suicide prevention grant program benefitting states and universities and allocating funding for the national Suicide Prevention Resource Center. Though the measure expired in 2008, Congress has funded a select number of Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act programs. Today, with reintroduction of this important legislation, federal lawmakers have the chance to reauthorize funding for vital suicide prevention programming nationwide. Abbe Land, Executive Director and CEO of The Trevor Project, which operates crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBT and questioning youth nationwide, released the following statement about this essential legislative measure:

 

“The Trevor Project is grateful for the bipartisan support of Senators Lisa Murkowski and Jack Reed for bringing the critical issue of youth suicide and mental health back to the forefront of Congress. All too often we see vital funding for life-saving programs fall to the wayside during difficult economic times. The Trevor Project looks forward to the reintroduction of the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act as a step forward in preventing suicide, funding mental health programs, and saving young lives.”

 

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people under 24. Every day, The Trevor Project saves young lives through its free and confidential lifeline and instant messaging services, in-school workshops, educational materials, online resources and advocacy. Honored by the White House as a Champion of Change, The Trevor Project is a leader and innovator in suicide prevention. Learn more at TheTrevorProject.org.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Laura McGinnis (laura.mcginnis@thetrevorproject.org / 323.423.7405)