Ayotte Honored by Suicide Prevention Organization

Submitted by the Office of U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte:

Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) received a Congressional Award from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at their annual “Allies in Action” reception on February 27th at the Reserve Officers Association.

Senator Ayotte was recognized for introducing and working to advance, along with Senator Mark Begich, the bipartisan Mental Health First Aid Act (S. 153) in the United States Senate. This bill would among other things highlight available mental health resources in local communities; teach the warning signs and risk factors for schizophrenia, major clinical depression, panic attacks, anxiety disorders, trauma, and other common mental disorders; teach crisis de-escalation techniques; and provide trainees with a five-step action plan to help individuals in psychiatric crisis connect to professional mental health care.

“We thank Senator Ayotte for her continuing leadership to train and protect our first responders.  Last December AFSP supported efforts in the Senate and House to fund Mental Health First Aid with $15 million. We know this is only a down payment on the much larger funding that must go into MHFA moving forward and we look forward to continue working with Senator Ayotte to see this legislation become law,” said John Madigan, Vice President of Public Policy for AFSP.

The annual reception brings together mental health professionals, suicide prevention allies, congressional leaders, business leaders, and advocacy groups. Award recipients are recognized for their dedication and leadership efforts in suicide prevention and education.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is the leading national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy as well as reaching out to people with mental disorders and those impacted by suicide.