HR 4723119th CongressIn Committee

Mental Health for Latinos Act of 2025

Introduced: Jul 23, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6] (D-Oregon)

Healthcare

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

Mental Health for Latinos Act of 2025 would amend the Public Health Service Act to require a new outreach and education strategy aimed at reducing stigma around mental health and substance use among Hispanic and Latino populations. The Secretary (through the Assistant Secretary) would coordinate with advocacy and behavioral/mental health organizations serving these communities to design and implement culturally and linguistically tailored outreach. The strategy must address diverse cultural and language needs, be age-appropriate, raise awareness of symptoms, provide information on evidence-based and culturally appropriate treatments, involve consumers and community members in development and implementation, and promote a holistic public health approach that connects behavioral and physical health. The bill also requires annual public reports on the strategy’s impact and authorizes $1 million for FY 2026 to carry this out.

Key Points

1New Sec. 554 added to the Public Health Service Act to establish a Hispanic/Latino behavioral and mental health outreach and education strategy, led by the Secretary through the Assistant Secretary, in coordination with relevant advocacy and health organizations.
2The strategy must be culturally and linguistically responsive, meet diverse language and cultural needs, and be developmentally appropriate for different ages.
3It should increase awareness of mental health symptoms common in Hispanic/Latino populations and provide information on evidence-based, culturally and linguistically appropriate treatments.
4It must ensure active participation of consumers and community members in developing and implementing materials, and promote a comprehensive public health approach that links behavioral health with physical health.
5Annual reports (and public availability) to Congress on how the strategy improves behavioral and mental health outcomes among Hispanic and Latino populations, starting within one year of enactment.
6Authorization of appropriations of $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to carry out the section.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Hispanic and Latino individuals and communities, including those experiencing mental health issues or substance use, and the providers and organizations serving them.Secondary group/area affected: Public health agencies, advocacy organizations, researchers, and community-based groups involved in behavioral health and health education.Additional impacts: Potential improvements in mental health literacy and stigma reduction; need for culturally competent workforce training and resources; possible increased demand for culturally tailored services; small-scale federal funding underscores program start-up and evaluation through annual reporting.

Generated by gpt-5-nano on Oct 8, 2025