The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, chaired by Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA), has scheduled a hearing for Thursday, September 18 at 11:30 a.m. in room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing is entitled, “Suicide Prevention and Treatment: Helping Loved Ones in Mental Health Crisis."
The Energy and Commerce Committee has conducted a yearlong investigation of federal programs addressing severe mental illness. This hearing will continue that effort by reviewing the connection between serious mental illness and suicidal behavior. Members will seek to identify evidence-based treatments and effective strategies for suicide prevention.
“Perhaps the greatest gift Robin Williams has left us is to remind the nation that suicide remains a public health crisis," said Murphy. “Our Subcommittee will have an honest dialogue to understand why people reach a suicidal level of despair. The good news is that much can be done to stop the loss of one more precious life and with this hearing we aim to dispel the commonly held harmful myths regarding suicide and examine how to help those at risk through the most effective methods of intervention and prevention."
The Majority Memorandum, a witness list, and witness testimony will be available here as they are posted.
