SPRINGFIELD – As rates of suicide and depression among young people rise, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) advanced a measure that would ensure suicide prevention information is readily available to college students.

“Crisis lines are such an important resource to those struggling with their mental health,” Cullerton said. “Something as simple as providing this information on a student ID card, which most college students are carrying around all day anyway, could save a life.”

The measure would require any public institution of higher education that issues student ID cards to publish the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the Crisis Text Line on the back of each card as well on their website.

According to the CDC, between 2007 and 2018, suicide rates for people aged 10-24 increased by 57.4%. Additionally, a CDC survey taken in June of 2020 found that one in four young people aged 18-24 reported seriously considering suicide over the 30-day period.

“College students had a unique set of struggles during this unprecedented year,” Cullerton said. “This combined with the already high rates of suicide in young people calls for action in getting students the resources they need to hopefully prevent a tragedy.”

Senate Bill 2014 passed the Senate and now moves to the House for further consideration.

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