Wright Institute Dean, Dr. Gilbert Newman, lobbied U.S. Congress on passing the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act to reduce suicide risk in college students.

The Wright Institute Dean, Dr. Gilbert Newman, recently lobbied the U.S. Congress regarding passage of the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act designed to reduce the risk of suicide in college students.

Dr. Newman recently attended the APA Education Leadership Conference in Washington, DC. As one of California's Federal Education Advocacy Coordinators, Dr. Newman lobbied members of Congress, including both senators and six House members regarding the reauthorization of the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act (HR 2734 and S116). The program provides competitive grants to universities, colleges, tribal organizations and other regional agencies working to reduce the risk of suicide in college students.

The picture was taken shortly after Congressman Alan Lowenthal (D-CA-47, a psychologist) agreed to co-sponsor the House bill. It includes from left to right, Dr. Linda Juang, from the Asian American Psychological Association and UC Santa Barbara, Dr. Jim McQuaid of the SF VA and UCSF, Congressman Lowenthal, Dr. Carol Falender of UCLA, and Dean Newman. Dr. Newman also met with Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA-14) who agreed to co-sponsor the bill.