Congressman Troy Carter is among the sponsors of a bipartisan bill that would require all middle school and high school student IDs and websites to include mental health and suicide prevention information. The New Orleans Democrat says the information could be a lifesaver for kids at the ages who need those services the most.
“We know that our kids live in a challenging time where pressure is real, where depression is real, where peer pressure is often the cause for many people to contemplate suicide, or to turn to drugs or alcohol,” Carter said.
Carter says among the contact information that would be required under the bipartisan legislation would be for the 988-suicide prevention hotline.
“This anonymous hotline gives them an opportunity to talk to a professional, 24/7, completely free, and it is totally anonymous,” Carter explained.
Carter says unlike adults or people they know, kids contemplating suicide will call the 988-suicide prevention hotline.
“They’ll talk to a stranger. And they’ll talk to someone when they know that this is not being recorded. No one is going to track you as a result of this. No one’s going to show up at your house as a result of this,” Carter said.