{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sens-scott-blumenthal-lead-reintroduction-of-college-mental-health-legislation/", "Sens. Scott, Blumenthal lead reintroduction of college mental health legislation", "2026-06-29", "2026", "2026-06", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) reintroduced legislation to improve mental health on college campuses. The Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning Act would support institutions of higher education in developing and implementing comprehensive mental health and suicide prevention plans, helping to improve college students\u2019 mental health.\n\n\u201cEducation is the key to opportunity in America, and the environment and support our kids receive from cradle to college is just as important as what is being taught in the classroom,\u201d said Sen. Scott. \u201cThis legislation prioritizes a student\u2019s well-being and academic success by promoting collaboration and planning between federal agencies and colleges and universities. This bill will help address the growing mental health crisis by making sure all students have the opportunity to pursue their studies in a safe and supportive environment.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis legislation ensures universities have the tools they need to provide quality care and support to students struggling with their mental health. Our country is facing a severe youth mental health crisis, with more and more college students experiencing anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. This bill addresses that emergency by increasing the resources available to universities to support students when they need it most,\u201d said Sen. Blumenthal.\n\nTo address our country\u2019s youth mental health crisis, the Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning Act would amend the Higher Education Act. Specifically, the bill would require the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to collaborate and create evidence-based mental health plans that colleges and universities may use to promote positive mental health and address mental health crises among their students. These plans would align with strategies recommended by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration\u2019s (SAMHSA) Suicide Prevention Resource Center, specifically its nine-part Comprehensive Approach to Suicide Prevention.\n\nIn the U.S. Senate, the legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.).\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by the JED Foundation (JED).\n\n\u201cAs stewards of protecting the emotional health of teens and young adults, The Jed Foundation is proud to endorse this timely legislation. The data is clear: mental health is a key factor in college degree completion, and a significant contributor to students leaving school before finishing their degrees. Effective suicide prevention requires a comprehensive approach that integrates training, resources, and postvention services. This bill will help guide colleges and universities in building the campus systems, infrastructures, and evidence-based policies needed to ensure the strongest possible support for student well-being and success,\u201d said Dr. Zainab Okolo, LCMFT, The JEDFoundation Senior Vice President of Policy, Advocacy, and Government Relations.\n\nThe full bill text can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-30T06:29:10Z", "2026-06-30T06:30:42Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sens-scott-blumenthal-lead-reintroduction-of-college-mental-health-legislation/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.56064098700881, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}