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Rep. Thanedar seeks national day for suicide prevention
Lawmakers seek to highlight the lifesaving role of 988 in preventing suicide across the U.S.
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Malvika Choudhary - Tue, 09, Sep 2025
- 13:47 EDT
- 13
Shri Thanedar / File Photo
Indian American congressman Shri Thanedar (MI-13) introduced a bipartisan resolution to designate Sept. 8, as “988 Day,” recognizing the life-saving role of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in addressing America's mental-health crisis.
Thanedar was joined by Reps. Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) in introducing the measure. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and John Kennedy (R-La.) introduced a companion resolution in the Senate.
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“In 1996, I lost my first wife to mental health struggles. That loss left my family devastated in ways words cannot capture,” Thanedar said. “It’s why I have made mental health a top priority during my time in Congress. This resolution honors the lifesaving work of 988 and calls for greater outreach so high-risk communities know support is always within reach.”
Rep. Bell, who is sponsoring the resolution, said he hopes the measure will bring further recognition to 988. “988 has already saved lives, but too many people still don’t know it’s there when they need it,” he said. “Setting aside a day to lift up 988 is about making sure that in the darkest moments, people know they have somewhere to turn.”
In the Senate, Booker noted that suicide remains a leading cause of death among young people while stigma prevents many from seeking care. “The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 free support across the United States for anyone struggling,” he said.
“I’m proud to stand alongside my colleagues to introduce these two bipartisan resolutions that recognize suicide as a public health crisis, raise awareness about the 988 hotline, and recognize our shared commitment to passing legislation to improve mental health and reduce suicide rates across America,” he added.
Kennedy echoed that message, describing the hotline as “a lifesaver for Americans who need help” amid what he called a “historic mental health crisis.”
The 988 Lifeline, launched nationwide in July 2022, provides around-the-clock, free, and confidential support to people experiencing emotional distress or suicidal thoughts.
Lawmakers said the resolution is aimed at expanding awareness of the service, particularly in vulnerable communities.
The measure has drawn support from major organizations including the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, the National Association of Social Workers, and the Jed Foundation.
Thanedar’s initiative is part of his broader efforts to expand access to mental-health care. In 2024, he introduced a resolution pressing for parity between mental and physical health in insurance coverage, aligning with the Department of Health and Human Services’s National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
He also sponsored the Improving Access to Institutional Mental Health Care Act, which would expand Medicaid coverage for patients receiving care in institutions for mental diseases. That same year, he produced a short film recounting his first wife’s struggle with depression and suicide, which he said was intended to break stigma and encourage public conversations about mental health.
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