Gordon pushes youth suicide prevention

U.S. Representative Bart Gordon called for action on legislation to reduced suicides among teens and young adults as the U.S. House of Representatives voted to support May as Mental Health Month. Gordon says that increased support for mental health initiatives may help some people get the treatment they need to lead long and healthy lives. Gordon introduced legislation that was signed into law in 2004 to help communities get the resources they need to fight youth suicide; he reintroduced the bill last year because Congress must reauthorize funding for the grant program to continue. Congress is also considering legislation to improve access for patients seeking mental health treatment. The bill would require insurers that offer mental health care to apply the same standards to mental health benefits that they apply to traditional medical and surgical benefits.