Brittany Pettersen (D-CO)
Evidence-Based Youth Suicide Prevention Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Evidence-Based Youth Suicide Prevention Act of 2026," aims to amend the Public Health Service Act. It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to run demonstration programs to develop and evaluate ways to prevent suicide among children and adolescents. These programs will prioritize implementation in schools and other youth-support settings. The Secretary is tasked with carrying out these programs through various entities such as States, educational agencies, and non-profits. The goal is to use evidence-based strategies to address the high rates of suicide, depression, and feelings of hopelessness among students.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +8
Would children be better off under this?
The bill specifically targets the prevention of suicide and mental health crises among children and adolescents.
- Scored +8
Would students be better off under this?
The bill focuses on improving student mental health, safety, and social-emotional learning within educational institutions.
- Scored +7
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
The bill establishes demonstration programs to develop and implement evidence-based strategies to prevent suicide among children and adolescents.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Suicide Prevention via Evidence-Based Strategies: The bill directs the Secretary to develop and implement strategies specifically designed to prevent suicide among children and adolescents (Section 3, subsection a).
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Prioritization of School Settings: The program will prioritize schools and educational institutions, which are noted as places where warning signs often emerge (Section s, subsection b; Section 2, subsection 1).
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Support for Diverse Entities: Funding and programs can be implemented through various groups, including States, local educational agencies, Tribes, and higher education institutions (Section 3, subsection c).
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Focus on Comprehensive Student Success: The Secretary will monitor outcomes that go beyond just mental health, including academic achievement, social-emotional learning, and student engagement (Section 3, subsection h).
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Technical Assistance for Recipients: The Secretary will provide help to those receiving assistance regarding data collection, evaluation design, and reporting (Section 3, subsection e).
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Community Involvement: The bill requires that programs be developed in consultation with the communities they are intended to benefit (Section 3, subsection i).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly detailed within the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill specifically targets the prevention of suicide and mental health crises among children and adolescents. Would students be better off under this? — The bill focuses on improving student mental health, safety, and social-emotional learning within educational institutions. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill addresses suicide prevention and mental health support for youth, which includes young adults in educational settings. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill allows Indian Tribes to serve as eligible entities for receiving suicide prevention program implementation.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill establishes demonstration programs to develop and implement evidence-based strategies to prevent suicide among children and adolescents.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill authorizes demonstration programs that prioritize implementation in elementary and secondary schools.
- 5/21/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Rudy YakymRepublican · Indiana