TRENTON, N.J. – The Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Senators Patrick Diegnan and John Burzichelli that would allow minors 16 years of age or older who have placed a call to the telephone number for mental health and suicide crisis resources to consent to receive a follow-up call.
“Teens are among the most at-risk groups for suicide. Too often they do not share their struggles with their parents or guardians, leading to delayed or nonexistent treatment and a worsening of their symptoms,” said Diegnan (D-Middlesex). “Follow-up calls have been shown to be effective at preventing suicide. By allowing teens to consent to receiving follow-up calls we can better assist at-risk youth and prevent needless tragedies.”
The bill, S-4050, would allow a minor 16 years of age or older to consent to receive a follow-up call, text, or chat message from the number for mental health and suicide crisis resources and the 9-8-8 hotline center. Presently, minors are able to consent to receive certain types of temporary, outpatient, behavioral health, and substance use disorder treatment, but current law does not permit them to receive follow-up calls from a suicide prevention hotline absent parental consent.
“Youth suicide rates have risen over the past twenty years, and the impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic have only worsened symptoms of depression, anxiety, and isolation among today’s teens,” said Burzichelli (D-Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem). “Allowing teens to receive follow-up calls will improve access to prevention resources and, ultimately, save lives.”
