Bill > S906

This bill establishes a pilot program administered by the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use to support evidence-based mental health peer support activities for secondary school students. The program will provide competitive grants to eligible entities like states, territories, and tribal organizations to implement mental health peer support initiatives in schools. These initiatives may include training students, adult supervisors, and other individuals to identify and respond to mental health and substance use challenges, with a focus on early intervention, risk reduction, and promoting student resilience. Each program must be overseen by a school-based mental health professional and must protect student education records under existing privacy laws. The Assistant Secretary will evaluate the program's effectiveness by measuring participation rates, describing specific trainings, assessing mental health outcomes, and comparing the program's effectiveness in connecting students to professional mental health services. The program will provide technical assistance to grantees and include best practices for mental health peer support. The pilot program is set to run until September 30, 2029, allowing time to study its impact and potential broader implementation.

Health and Social Services

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/906/all-info