Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2025
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to establish and expand school-based comprehensive mental health programs for children and adolescents. The legislation authorizes federal grants to support partnerships between state and local educational agencies and mental health systems to deliver mental health services directly in schools. The bill aims to increase access to mental health care for students, particularly in underserved communities, by integrating mental health professionals and services into the school environment. It provides funding for training, early identification of mental health issues, crisis intervention, and ongoing treatment services, while emphasizing culturally appropriate care and reducing stigma around mental health.
Key Points
- 1Authorizes grants to state and local educational agencies partnering with mental health organizations to establish or expand school-based mental health programs
- 2Supports hiring and placement of qualified mental health professionals (counselors, psychologists, social workers) in schools to provide direct services to students
- 3Emphasizes early identification and intervention for mental health and substance use disorders among children and adolescents
- 4Prioritizes funding for schools serving high-need populations, including low-income communities, rural areas, and schools with high rates of chronic absenteeism or disciplinary issues
- 5Includes provisions for training school personnel to recognize mental health warning signs, crisis response, and trauma-informed practices