Senate Introduces Bipartisan Campus Lifeline Act to Expand Student Access to 988 and Youth-Informed Mental Health Resources

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Active Minds, the nation’s leading nonprofit mobilizing youth and young adults to change the culture around mental health so that it is valued and prioritized in society, today welcomed the introduction of the bipartisan Campus Lifeline Act, Senate companion legislation designed to increase student awareness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and strengthen youth-informed suicide prevention efforts.

The bill is the first federal legislation authored by Active Minds and represents growing bipartisan, bicameral support for improving access to mental health crisis resources for students.

Led by Sens. Dave McCormick (R-PA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and Tim Kaine (D-VA), the Senate bill follows the bipartisan House version introduced earlier this year.

The Campus Lifeline Act would encourage states to promote the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline) on newly issued student identification cards in K-12 schools and institutions of higher education. Additionally, the legislation would also strengthen the Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grant Program by encouraging colleges and universities to involve students and student-led mental health organizations in developing campus prevention strategies.

“At Active Minds, we believe that every student deserves access to mental health support before they reach a crisis,” said Anika Rahman, Director of Policy, Active Minds.

“We are grateful to the U.S. Senators for coming together across party lines to champion this effort, which recognizes that supporting young people’s mental health is not a partisan issue, it should be a national priority. By strengthening campus mental health resources and expanding access to evidence-based supports, this legislation will help ensure more youth and young adults can get the care they need, when they need it.”

The legislation builds upon the growing impact of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Since the nationwide launch of 988, research has found an estimated 11% decline in youth suicide deaths, highlighting the importance of increasing awareness and accessibility of the resource. Yet awareness among young adults remains alarmingly low, with only 5% reporting familiarity with 988 in 2024.

At the same time, youth continue to face unprecedented mental health challenges. Suicide remains the second leading cause of death among Americans ages 15–24, and research shows that nearly half of young adults experiencing recurring suicidal thoughts or attempts never seek professional help. Young adults are also more likely to turn first to a friend, underscoring the importance of peer-led prevention and clear, visible crisis resources.

The legislation has also mobilized significant support from youth and young adults across the country. Last month, more than 200 youth and young adults traveled to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers from both parties and advocate for passage of the Campus Lifeline Act, underscoring the urgency young people themselves place on strengthening mental health support and suicide prevention efforts on high school and college campuses.

Originally inspired by students involved in Active Minds at the University of Dayton advocating to place the 988 Lifeline on student ID cards, the Campus Lifeline Act has grown into proposed bipartisan legislation in both chambers of congress, with the potential to establish a consistent national approach to youth mental health awareness and prevention.

“No family should have to experience the heartbreak of losing a child, classmate, relative, or friend to suicide,” said Senator McCormick. “Students are often the first to recognize when someone is struggling. The Campus Lifeline Act strengthens peer-led mental health efforts, expands awareness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and gives colleges additional tools to connect students with support before a crisis becomes a tragedy.”

The Senate introduction marks the latest milestone in Active Minds’ broader effort to ensure young people are not only represented in conversations about mental health policy but are actively shaping the solutions.

Active Minds will continue working with students, educators, policymakers, and partner organizations as the legislation advances through Congress.

The Campus Lifeline Act has received support from more than 40 mental health, education, healthcare, and youth advocacy organizations including: