Press ReleaseUrgent2026-05-11

Congress should come together to address young adult suicide

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This press release from Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) was published on 2026-05-11 and titled "Congress should come together to address young adult suicide".

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Congress should come together to address young adult suicide

This op-ed by Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) first appeared in The Hill on May 11, 2026. 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. 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. From 2014 to 2024, the suicide rate for Americans between the ages of 18 and 25 increased by 17 percent. In my state of Louisiana, suicide rates for young adults aged 10 to 24 increased by 52 percent between 2000 and 2021. In total, 2 percent of Americans aged 18 to 25 have attempted suicide according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. That means one out of every 50 young adults has tried to end their lives - more than double the rate of any other age group in America. College students, in particular, have struggled with thoughts of suicide. A recent study from Johns Hopkins University revealed that suicidal ideation increased 154 percent from 2007 to 2022. Loneliness and academic stress were among the top reasons why students were struggling to maintain their mental health. Congress has taken steps to provide resources to those struggling with thoughts of suicide over the past several years. In July 2022, we established the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to ensure that every American has easy access to a counselor for free and confidential advice when they are in need. This hotline, which operates around the clock, has helped more than 16.5 million Americans who have sought help, including 11.1 million calls, 2.9 million texts, and 2.4 million online chats. The hotline counselors have been incredibly successful. Nearly 98 percent of Americans who contacted a counselor through the 988 reported that the hotline helped stop them from harming themselves. Unfortunately, many young Americans don't realize that the 988 hotline exists. According to a recent poll by Ipsos, only 27 percent of Americans are familiar with the 988 hotline, while 29 percent have never heard of it. The government can't fix the academic pressures and social isolation that are so prevalent among young Americans. We need families, friends and faith leaders to do that. But Congress can do more to ensure that every college student in America knows that they can have a confidential and free conversation with a counselor if they ever find themselves in a dark place. 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. This is one small way to ensure that students know that there are free and confidential counselors waiting to take their calls when they are struggling with their mental health, substance abuse, or any other emotional distress. Suicide isn't a partisan issue, but Congress has failed to make it a top legislative priority. That's why I'm working to pass this legislation through the expedited unanimous consent process. If none of my colleagues object, we can get this legislation across the finish line by the end of May, which happens to be Mental Health Awareness Month. 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.

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Congress should come together to address young adult suicide This op-ed by Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) first appeared in The Hill on May 11, 2026. 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. 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. From 2014 to 2024, the suicide rate for Americans between the ages of 18 and 25 increased by 17 percent. In my state of Louisiana, suicide rates for young adults aged 10 to 24 increased by 52 percent between 2000 and 2021. In total, 2 percent of Americans aged 18 to 25 have attempted suicide according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. That means one out of every 50 young adults has tried to end their lives - more than double the rate of any other age group in America. College students, in particular, have struggled with thoughts of suicide. A recent study from Johns Hopkins University revealed that suicidal ideation increased 154 percent from 2007 to 2022. Loneliness and academic stress were among the top reasons why students were struggling to maintain their mental health. Congress has taken steps to provide resources to those struggling with thoughts of suicide over the past several years. In July 2022, we established the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to ensure that every American has easy access to a counselor for free and confidential advice when they are in need. This hotline, which operates around the clock, has helped more than 16.5 million Americans who have sought help, including 11.1 million calls, 2.9 million texts, and 2.4 million online chats. The hotline counselors have been incredibly successful. Nearly 98 percent of Americans who contacted a counselor through the 988 reported that the hotline helped stop them from harming themselves. Unfortunately, many young Americans don't realize that the 988 hotline exists. According to a recent poll by Ipsos, only 27 percent of Americans are familiar with the 988 hotline, while 29 percent have never heard of it. The government can't fix the academic pressures and social isolation that are so prevalent among young Americans. We need families, friends and faith leaders to do that. But Congress can do more to ensure that every college student in America knows that they can have a confidential and free conversation with a counselor if they ever find themselves in a dark place. 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. This is one small way to ensure that students know that there are free and confidential counselors waiting to take their calls when they are struggling with their mental health, substance abuse, or any other emotional distress. Suicide isn't a partisan issue, but Congress has failed to make it a top legislative priority. That's why I'm working to pass this legislation through the expedited unanimous consent process. If none of my colleagues object, we can get this legislation across the finish line by the end of May, which happens to be Mental Health Awareness Month. 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.