About GLS Grants

On October 21, 2004 President Bush signed the nation’s first youth suicide prevention bill into law. Named in memory of Senator Gordon Smith’s (R-OR) son who died by suicide, the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act recognizes that youth suicide is a public health crisis linked to underlying mental health problems. It authorizes $82 million over three years for youth suicide prevention programs including voluntary, confidential, screening programs. This legislation provides grants to states, American Indian Tribes, and colleges to support suicide prevention efforts and initiatives.

The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is tasked with implementing the law, and will award grants or cooperative agreements to eligible entities to:

  • Develop and implement State-sponsored statewide or tribal youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies in schools, educational institutions, juvenile justice systems, substance abuse programs, mental health programs, foster care systems, and other child and youth support organizations.
  • Support public organizations and private nonprofit organizations actively involved in State-sponsored statewide or tribal youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies and in the development and continuation of State- sponsored statewide youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies.
  • Provide grants to institutions of higher education to coordinate the implementation of State-sponsored statewide or tribal youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies.
  • Collect and analyze data on State-sponsored statewide or tribal youth suicide early intervention and prevention services that can be used to monitor the effectiveness of such services and for research, technical assistance, and policy development.

About

SAMHSA was established in 1992 and directed by Congress to target effectively substance abuse and mental health services to the people most in need and to translate research in these areas more effectively and more rapidly into the general health care system. Over the years SAMHSA has demonstrated that – prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover from mental and substance use disorders. Behavioral health services improve health status and reduce health care and other costs to society. Continued improvement in the delivery and financing of prevention, treatment and recovery support services provides a cost effective opportunity to advance and protect the Nation’s health.

JeffHELP Research Connection

JeffHELP is a great opportunity for students to get involved in research on campus. As the project develops numerous opportunities to develop and implement research and collect and analyze data will be available. To express an interest in getting involved with research through JeffHELP, Click Here