Gillen, Begich Introduce Bipartisan Youth Suicide Prevention Act to Honor Long Island Native Tyler Godfrey

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) and GOP Congressman Nick Begich (AK-AL) announced the introduction of H.R. 2630, the bipartisan Youth Suicide Prevention Research Act, which would enhance federal research into the underlying causes of youth suicide.

Gillen introduced the bill in honor of Tyler Godfrey, a Long Island native who was tragically lost in 2024. Godfrey was a graduate of Manhasset High School, where he played lacrosse and ran cross country. As a student at the University of South Carolina, he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, where his brothers remember him as a loyal friend who inspired others with his compassion and work ethic.

"It is absolutely devastating to see so many families shattered by the profound grief of losing a child or sibling to suicide,” said Congresswoman Gillen. “We all must do more to understand and combat the root causes of what has become a national epidemic. My heart broke when Tyler and so many other young people left us and I am awed by his mother Whitney's strength to advocate alongside Rep. Begich and me in support of our legislation to expand research that will address our nation's mental health crisis and save lives."

“I have heard from far too many Alaskan families who have been impacted by youth suicide. It’s a deeply personal and heartbreaking reality for many of our communities,” said Congressman Begich. “By expanding federal research into how early childhood trauma and stress contribute to mental health struggles, we can take meaningful steps toward prevention. I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort that makes our youth and their futures a top priority.”

“We’ve been missing Tyler for almost a year now, and it’s a pain that no parents and family members should have to experience. It is imperative that we bring the right attention to mental health and suicide prevention in these children and young adults,” said Tyler’s mother, Whitney Godfrey. “This is truly a horrific epidemic that we are facing and there needs to be action taken to help put an end to it.”

The bipartisan Youth Suicide Prevention Act amends the Advancing Research to Prevent Suicide Act to expand the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) focus areas, adding critical research into the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress in childhood. These conditions are recognized by the medical and research communities as major risk factors for depression, substance use disorder and suicide.

The full text of the bill can be found here.