This bill aims to amend the Public Health Service Act to "improve mental and behavioral health services on college campuses."
WHAT DOES IT DO?
First, it presents a list of findings, including:
1.) Over 90 percent of counseling directors believe there is an increase in the number of students coming to campus with severe psychological problems.
2.) 43 percent of students at colleges and universities report having felt so depressed it was difficult to function, and one out of every 11 students seriously considered suicide within the past year.
3.) Students seen for anxiety disorders has doubled, and those seen for depression and serious suicidal intention has tripled.
The bill aims to accomplish the following (in part):
1.) Increase access to mental health services at Universities
2.) Reduce the stigma for students with mental health disorders
3.) Award competitive grants to help accomplish (1) and (2) above.
WHO IS THE SPONSOR?
The bill was introduced by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) on March 24, 2009.
Dick Durbin holds the second highest position in the Democratic Party leadership in the U.S. Senate. In April 2006, Time magazine identified Durbin as one of "America's Best Senators." Durbin entered congress in 1982 and has been reelected six times, rarely facing serious opposition.
In June of 2005, Durbin compared interrogation techniques used by U.S. soldiers with those utilized by such regimes as Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and the Khmer Rouge. Durbin's comments drew widespread criticism and he he was forced to apologize formally on June 21, 2005 before the full Senate.
WHO ARE THE COSPONSORS?
Susan Collins [R-ME]
John Kerry [D-MA]
Frank Lautenberg [D-NJ]
Carl Levin [D-MI]
Blanche Lincoln [D-AR]
Charles Schumer [D-NY]
Debbie Ann Stabenow [D-MI]
Sheldon Whitehouse [D-RI]
