SC New York News

Today, Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) introduced H.R. 9656, the bipartisan Career and Technical Education (CTE) Student Mental Health and Wellness Act. He was joined by the co-chairs of the Career and Technical Education Caucus, Congressman Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15), and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01). This legislation aims to expand the Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention grant program to include Career & Technical Education schools for mental health and substance use disorder services grants.

“Western New York and the Southern Tier are proud to have so many hardworking men and women pursuing a technical career education, but despite them being a vital part of our workforce, too many of these students face mental health challenges without access to the same federal resources available to others — this legislation will change that,” said Congressman Langworthy. “I’m proud to lead this bill to ensure our CTE students have the tools they need to navigate mental health and substance abuse challenges, keeping them on track for new careers where they can continue to build their own futures and the future of our nation.”

“As a record number of Americans enroll in successful postsecondary career and technical education programs, we must ensure these students have the necessary resources to thrive and succeed,” said Chairman Thompson. “As co-chair of the Career and Technical Education Caucus, I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation to guarantee that these programs have access to critical mental health resources and help students successfully complete their studies.”

Congresswoman Bonamici added, “Educators, parents, and health professionals have told me that they are seeing more students struggle with mental health and substance use challenges, especially after pandemic-related social isolation. Institutes of higher education have an important role in providing needed health services and care, but Career & Technical Education (CTE) schools do not currently qualify for grants that would expand mental health resources. This bipartisan bill will end this exemption and improve access to mental health and substance use disorder services for students in CTE schools.”

The Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grant Program aims to enhance services for students with mental health or substance use disorders that can lead to school failure, such as depression, substance use disorders, and suicide attempts. They also aim to prevent mental and substance use disorders, reduce stigma, improve identification and treatment of at-risk students helping them successfully complete their studies. Currently, this program does not provide grants to Career & Technical Education Schools under the Public Health Service Act.

Original cosponsors include Reps. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Don Davis (NC-01), Mike Bost (IL-12), Anthony D'Esposito (NY-04), Michael Rulli (OH-06), James Moylan (GU-AL), Don Bacon (NE-02).

This legislation has wide support from organizations including American Foundation for Suicide Prevention; Association for Career & Technical Education; Advance CTE; National Stone Sand & Gravel Association; National Rural Health Association; National Council for Mental Wellbeing; American Psychological Association; American Counseling Association; Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors—National Association; Associated Builders & Contractors; Associated Equipment Distributors; Associated General Contractors of America; National Association of School Psychologists.

“In 2022, suicide was the third leading cause of death for youth ages 15-24,” said Laurel Stine J.D., M.A., Executive Vice President at American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “This is a serious public health crisis but we know that suicide can be prevented. AFSP applauds Rep. Langworthy Rep. Bonamici Rep. Thompson for their bipartisan collaboration on CTE Student Mental Health Wellness Act. This important legislation will expand reach Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Suicide Prevention Program grants allow more institutes education empower support their students’ mental health ensuring career technical education schools eligible mental health substance use disorder service grants.”

“The Career & Technical Education Student Mental Health Wellness Act will bring much-needed parity between four-year colleges CTE schools as they address mental health difficulties faced by our future workforce CDC reports construction occupations highest rate suicide across all occupational groups exceptional number skilled tradespeople contend overall mental issues legislation important step mitigating those challenges early before entry into workforce making life-changing resources available those who otherwise lack access grateful Congressman Langworthy’s support empathy those whose struggle goes unnoticed untreated,” said Joe Cornetta President Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors National Association.

“NSSGA member companies committed protecting well-being precious resource workers applaud Rep Langworthy Rep Bonamici Rep Thompson introducing CTE Student Mental Health Wellness Act expand access abuse disorder services grants Career Technical Education schools,” added Michele Stanley National Stone Sand Gravel Association.

Kristen Swearingen Associated Builders Contractors Vice President Legislative Political Affairs said,“ABC committed creating safe healthy industry millions people make construction career providing current future workforce access resources improve total human employers development providers equip workers tools prioritize protect emotional wellbeing ABC's commitment advancing total human why ABC strongly supports Representatives Nick Langworthy Glenn Thompson Suzanne Bonamici's makes area eligible provided Garrett Lee Smith Campus vital same other institutions help enjoy abundance life offer through beyond."

“Access crucial aspect supportive educational environment including postsecondary covered better able provide critical care way imperative equip resources ensure well-being ACTE proud endorse grateful Representatives Nick Suzanne Glenn ‘GT’ leadership commitment nationwide”said ACTE Executive Director LeAnn Curry.

“This would ensure Area Centers included covered institution recognition learners' prioritized throughout nation’s system specializing commends pleased endorse stated Advance Executive Director Kate Kreamer.

Read full text bill here.