Peer to Peer Mental Health Support Act

The Peer to Peer Mental Health Support Act would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, to run a pilot program that funds and oversees evidence-based mental health peer support activities in secondary schools. Eligible entities—states, political subdivisions, territories, or Indian Tribes/Tribal organizations—could apply for competitive awards to implement these activities in one or more secondary schools. The program focuses on training students and appropriate adults to improve early identification of issues, response, and recovery supports, with oversight by a school-based mental health professional and protections for student records under FERPA. The act also calls for an evaluation of the pilot’s effectiveness, including participation, trainings, student mental health outcomes, and linkage to professional services, and requires a report to Congress. The program has technical assistance provisions for applicants and a sunset date of September 30, 2029. In short, the bill aims to test a structured, school-based peer support model as a way to bolster student mental health, while measuring its impact and ensuring privacy protections and professional oversight. It would not create permanent program funding without future authorization and would end in 2029 unless renewed.