Rep. Houchin introduces bill in U.S. House to strengthen youth suicide prevention and intervention efforts

The new bill authored by U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin in the U.S. House aims to improve youth suicide prevention and public awareness of mental health resources, according to the U.S. Congress.

H.R.8657 was introduced on May 4, 2026 during the 2026 regular session of the 119th Congress. The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends the Public Health Service Act to enhance youth suicide prevention and intervention programs. It includes provisions for supporting student-led initiatives on campuses aimed at reducing stigma surrounding mental health and training students to recognize and intervene with peers showing warning signs of mental health or substance use disorders. Additionally, the bill aims to improve public awareness of the 988 suicide prevention hotline by promoting initiatives and encouraging states and educational institutions to display the hotline number on identification cards. It also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to work with other relevant departments to develop a plan for these awareness activities. The effective date for these changes is not specified in the text.

The bill was introduced by Rep. Erin Houchin (Republican-IN-9th District) and co-sponsored by Rep. Mark Pocan (Democrat-IN-2nd District), Rep. Lori Trahan (Democrat-IN-3rd District), and Rep. David G. Valadao (Republican-IN-22nd District).

Since the beginning of the current session, Rep. Houchin has introduced another 29 bills.

Congressional bills can originate in either the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate, except for revenue-related measures, which must begin in the House. After introduction, bills are assigned to committees for review, hearings, amendments and debate before they can advance to a vote in each chamber. If both chambers approve identical versions, the legislation is sent to the president, who may sign it into law or veto it. Congress operates in two-year terms, with each term numbered sequentially and divided into two annual sessions. The legislative process and official bill records are maintained by the U.S. Congress and published through Congress.gov.

Erin Houchin is a Representative from Indiana who has served in the One Hundred Eighteenth Congress since January 3, 2023. She was a member of the Indiana state senate from 2015 to 2022 and previously worked as a staff member for United States Senator Dan Coats from 2011 to 2014.

Houchin holds a B.A. from Indiana University and an M.A. from George Washington University. She was an unsuccessful candidate for the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress in 2016.