H.R. 2862House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Campaign to Prevent Suicide Act

Introduced April 28, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 2:21 AM UTC

The Campaign to Prevent Suicide Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to launch a nationwide suicide‑prevention media campaign within three years of the law’s enactment. It aims to educate families, friends, and communities about recognizing and responding to suicidal thoughts, promote existing crisis‑line and other resources, and increase overall awareness of suicide‑prevention services. The bill also amends the Public Health Service Act to tie the suicide‑prevention hotline to the universal telephone number and authorizes $10 million per year from FY2022‑2026 to fund the effort, with a required report to Congress on its progress.

Key Provisions

  • Amends the Public Health Service Act to reference the universal telephone number for the suicide‑prevention hotline.
  • Requires HHS, in consultation with CDC, SAMHSA, and other stakeholders, to design and run a national suicide‑prevention media campaign within three years.
  • Allows the campaign to tailor culturally competent messages for specific demographics and high‑risk local areas, using allocated funds for testing, evaluation, management, and creation of an educational toolkit.
  • Authorizes up to $10 million annually (FY2022‑2026) for the campaign, covering advertising, partnerships, outreach, and optional activities with professional, community, and entertainment groups.
  • Prohibits use of funds to replace existing suicide‑prevention campaigns or for partisan political purposes.
  • Mandates a report to Congress within 18 months of the campaign’s start, detailing strategy, outcomes, spending, and contracts.

Legislative Activity

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10 earlier actions
SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

May 13, 2021

View full timeline
HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 28, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

April 28, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

April 29, 2021

HouseFloor

Mr. Pallone moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

May 11, 2021 • 3:37 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2175-2176; text: CR H2175-2176)

May 11, 2021 • 3:37 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2862.

May 11, 2021 • 3:37 PM

HouseFloor

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

May 11, 2021 • 3:42 PM

HouseFloor

Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 380, proceedings on H.R. 2862 are considered vacated.

May 12, 2021 • 5:40 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: Pursuant to section 6 of H. Res. 380, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 297; H.R. 433; H.R. 478; H.R. 586; H.R. 721, as amended; H.R. 768; H.R. 810; H.R. 1205; H.R. 1260, as amended; H.R. 1324; H.R. 1448, as amended; H.R. 1475, as amended; H.R. 1480, as amended; H.R. 2862, as amended; H.R. 2955; and H.R. 2981.(consideration: CR H2235-2246; text: CR H2243-2244)

May 12, 2021 • 5:40 PM

HouseFloor

Pursuant to section 6 of H. Res. 380, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 297; H.R. 433; H.R. 478; H.R. 586; H.R. 721, as amended; H.R. 768; H.R. 810; H.R. 1205; H.R. 1260, as amended; H.R. 1324; H.R. 1448, as amended; H.R. 1475, as amended; H.R. 1480, as amended; H.R. 2862, as amended; H.R. 2955; and H.R. 2981. (consideration: CR H2235-2246; text: CR H2243-2244)

May 12, 2021 • 5:40 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

May 13, 2021

Floor Debate

21 members

What members said about H.R. 2862 on the floor

6 Republicans15 Democrats
Sheila Jackson Lee
Rep. Sheila Jackson LeeD-TX-18 · Jul 28, 2022

Sadly, though, this is called the CHIPS and Science Act, it left out the calculation of math for my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. America is applauding. For once they will not be stopped…

Frank D. Lucas
Rep. Frank D. LucasR-OK-3 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, just 24 hours ago, I expected my remarks on the CHIPS and Science Act to be very different. I have worked on this bill for more…

Steny H. Hoyer
Rep. Steny H. HoyerD-MD-5 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I regret that we find ourselves in this position of being divided on this bill. This, like every piece of legislation we pass, is not perfect. And very frankly, if we made a judgment on…

Nancy Pelosi
Rep. Nancy PelosiD-CA-12 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in praise of this legislation as the House prepares to pass the CHIPS and Science Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill that will well-equip our Nation to meet and beat the…

Eddie Bernice Johnson
Rep. Eddie Bernice JohnsonD-TX-30 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1289, I call up the bill (H.R. 4346) making appropriations for Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes, with…

Show 8 more
Sheila Jackson Lee
Rep. Sheila Jackson LeeD-TX-18 · May 18, 2021

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2862, the ``Campaign to Prevent Suicide Act,'' which creates an educational campaign recommended by suicide prevention advocates and the Federal…

Darren Soto
Rep. Darren SotoD-FL-9 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the authors of the CHIPS Act of 2022 for including $52.7 billion to incentivize investments and continued American leadership in semiconductor manufacturing to help…

Mike Kelly
Rep. Mike KellyR-PA-16 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Oklahoma for yielding. Mr. Speaker, the distinguished leader was exactly right in his comments, but I would just like people to think about something. Every single…

Frank Pallone, Jr.
Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr.D-NJ-6 · May 11, 2021

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2862) to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a national suicide prevention media campaign, and for other…

Paul Tonko
Rep. Paul TonkoD-NY-20 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 2 minutes. Mr. Speaker, I am excited to advance this legislation that will ensure our Nation's economic growth and security…

Doris O. Matsui
Rep. Doris O. MatsuiD-CA-6 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act. Just over 2 years ago, I joined Congressman McCaul to introduce the CHIPS for America Act to reassert American leadership…

Kevin Brady
Rep. Kevin BradyR-TX-8 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Lucas for his leadership on science, which is of so much importance to our country. It is official; we are in a recession. Joe Biden's economy is a cruel economy. Americans…

Frank Pallone, Jr.
Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr.D-NJ-6 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Texas, the chairwoman, for all of her work on this bill. I rise in support of H.R. 4346, the CHIPS and Science Act, that will lower costs for consumers,…

Show 11 more
Donald S. Beyer, Jr.
Rep. Donald S. Beyer, Jr.D-VA-8 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the CHIPS and Science Act. As a member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee and as chair of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee, I…

Suzanne Bonamici
Rep. Suzanne BonamiciD-OR-1 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the CHIPS and Science Act, and I thank Chairwoman Johnson for her leadership in bringing this bill to the floor today. The pandemic has underscored how…

Eddie Bernice Johnson
Rep. Eddie Bernice JohnsonD-TX-30 · May 11, 2021

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of two pieces of legislation, H.R. 2862, the Campaign to Prevent Suicide Act, and H.R. 2981, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act of 2021--both of…

Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Rep. Cathy McMorris RodgersR-WA-5 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, China is the biggest threat facing America today. The Chinese Communist Party uses its centrally controlled economy to pick winners and losers through massive government subsidies and…

Patrick Ryan
Rep. Patrick RyanD-NY-19 · Jul 28, 2022

September 19, 1977, Black Monday is when all the steel mills closed in Youngstown, Ohio, and we have been waiting since then for a transformational investment into the State of Ohio. This bill is…

Joyce Beatty
Rep. Joyce BeattyD-OH-3 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Johnson for yielding. Let me just take point of personal privilege as a Member of this House and salute the gentlewoman for her leadership, her experience, and the…

John Katko
Rep. John KatkoR-NY-24 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Lucas for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the CHIPS Plus Act. This legislation has the potential to bring transformational investments to…

Carolyn B. Maloney
Rep. Carolyn B. MaloneyD-NY-12 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the CHIPS and Science Act, a historic bill that should have strong bipartisan support because it will lower costs for American families and restore American…

Frank J. Mrvan
Rep. Frank J. MrvanD-IN-1 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chair for the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support and appreciation that the House is considering the CHIPS and Science Act. Indiana's First Congressional…

Adrian Smith
Rep. Adrian SmithR-NE-3 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this legislation. When I recently visited with a manufacturer in my district whose products are highly dependent on access to chips, they told me that chips…

Melanie A. Stansbury
Rep. Melanie A. StansburyD-NM-1 · Jul 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the brilliant and boundless minds of our scientists, our innovators, and our young people in New Mexico and across the United States. There is a lot to say…

Bill Text

3 versions available

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Latest
Referred in SenateIssued May 13, 2021

IIB

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2862

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 13, 2021

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

AN ACT

To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a national suicide prevention media campaign, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Campaign to Prevent Suicide Act.

2.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Section 520E–3(b)(2) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290bb–36c(b)(2)) is amended by inserting after suicide prevention hotline the following: , under the universal telephone number designated under section 251(e)(4) of the Communications Act of 1934,.

3.

National suicide prevention media campaign

(a)

National suicide prevention media campaign

(1)

In general

Not later than the date that is 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the Secretary), in consultation with the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use (referred to in this section as the Assistant Secretary) and the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (referred to in this section as the Director), shall conduct a national suicide prevention media campaign (referred to in this section as the national media campaign), in accordance with the requirements of this section, for purposes of—

(A)

preventing suicide in the United States;

(B)

educating families, friends, and communities on how to address suicide and suicidal thoughts, including when to encourage individuals with suicidal risk to seek help; and

(C)

increasing awareness of suicide prevention resources of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (including the suicide prevention hotline maintained under section 520E–3 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290bb–36c)), any suicide prevention mobile application of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, and other support resources determined appropriate by the Secretary.

(2)

Additional consultation

In addition to consulting with the Assistant Secretary and the Director under this section, the Secretary shall consult with, as appropriate, State, local, Tribal, and territorial health departments, primary health care providers, hospitals with emergency departments, mental and behavioral health services providers, crisis response services providers, first responders, suicide prevention and mental health professionals, patient advocacy groups, survivors of suicide attempts, and representatives of television and social media platforms in planning the national media campaign to be conducted under paragraph (1).

(b)

Target audiences

(1)

Tailoring advertisements and other communications

In conducting the national media campaign under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary may tailor culturally competent advertisements and other communications of the campaign across all available media for a target audience (such as a particular geographic location or demographic) across the lifespan.

(2)

Targeting certain local areas

The Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, use amounts made available under subsection (f) for media that targets certain local areas or populations at disproportionate risk for suicide.

(c)

Use of funds

(1)

Required uses

(A)

In general

The Secretary shall, if reasonably feasible with the funds made available under subsection (f), carry out the following, with respect to the national media campaign:

(i)

Testing and evaluation of advertising.

(ii)

Evaluation of the effectiveness of the national media campaign.

(iii)

Operational and management expenses.

(iv)

The creation of an educational toolkit for television and social media platforms to use in discussing suicide and raising awareness about how to prevent suicide.

(B)

Specific requirements

(i)

Testing and evaluation of advertising

In testing and evaluating advertising under subparagraph (A)(i), the Secretary shall test all advertisements after use in the national media campaign to evaluate the extent to which such advertisements have been effective in carrying out the purposes of the national media campaign.

(ii)

Evaluation of effectiveness of national media campaign

In evaluating the effectiveness of the national media campaign under subparagraph (A)(ii), the Secretary shall take into account—

(I)

the number of unique calls that are made to the suicide prevention hotline maintained under section 520E–3 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290bb–36c) and assess whether there are any State and regional variations with respect to the capacity to answer such calls;

(II)

the number of unique encounters with suicide prevention and support resources of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and assess engagement with such suicide prevention and support resources;

(III)

whether the national media campaign has contributed to increased awareness that suicidal individuals should be engaged, rather than ignored; and

(IV)

such other measures of evaluation as the Secretary determines are appropriate.

(2)

Optional uses

The Secretary may use amounts made available under subsection (f) for the following, with respect to the national media campaign:

(A)

Partnerships with professional and civic groups, community-based organizations, including faith-based organizations, and Government or Tribal organizations that the Secretary determines have experience in suicide prevention, including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

(B)

Entertainment industry outreach, interactive outreach, media projects and activities, public information, news media outreach, outreach through television programs, and corporate sponsorship and participation.

(d)

Prohibitions

None of the amounts made available under subsection (f) may be obligated or expended for any of the following:

(1)

To supplant current suicide prevention campaigns.

(2)

For partisan political purposes, or to express advocacy in support of or to defeat any clearly identified candidate, clearly identified ballot initiative, or clearly identified legislative or regulatory proposal.

(e)

Report to Congress

Not later than 18 months after implementation of the national media campaign has begun, the Secretary, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary and the Director, shall, with respect to the first year of the national media campaign, submit to Congress a report that describes—

(1)

the strategy of the national media campaign and whether specific objectives of such campaign were accomplished, including whether such campaign impacted the number of calls made to lifeline crisis centers and the capacity of such centers to manage such calls;

(2)

steps taken to ensure that the national media campaign operates in an effective and efficient manner consistent with the overall strategy and focus of the national media campaign;

(3)

plans to purchase advertising time and space;

(4)

policies and practices implemented to ensure that Federal funds are used responsibly to purchase advertising time and space and eliminate the potential for waste, fraud, and abuse; and

(5)

all contracts entered into with a corporation, a partnership, or an individual working on behalf of the national media campaign.

(f)

Authorization of appropriations

For purposes of carrying out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.

Passed the House of Representatives May 12, 2021.

Cheryl L. Johnson,

Clerk