PEER Mental Health Act of 2025
The Peer Education and Emergency Response for Mental Health Act of 2025 would amend the Public Health Service Act to create a new grant program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use). The grants would fund training for teachers, other school personnel, students, and parents or caregivers to recognize signs of childhood and adolescent mental health issues, refer students to appropriate services, and recognize and respond to immediate mental distress using mental health first aid tactics. The program also requires grantees to educate participants about community mental health resources. In addition to existing mental health awareness grants, eligible entities may receive funds under this new section, with a specific allocation emphasis for rural schools. The Act establishes application and evaluation requirements, provides for technical assistance and the dissemination of best practices, and authorizes roughly $24.96 million annually for 2026–2030.
Key Points
- 1Grants to train school communities: Funds would go to eligible entities (elementary, secondary, local or state educational agencies) to train teachers, school staff, students, and parents/caregivers to identify mental health conditions, refer to services, and respond to emergency distress with mental health first aid, plus educate about local resources.
- 2Rural school emphasis: At least 25% of grant funding must go to rural elementary or secondary schools or applicants acting on their behalf; any unutilized funds would be reallocated to other eligible entities.
- 3Streamlined application and rigorous evaluation: Applications must include a plan to rigorously evaluate activities, and the process to apply should be streamlined to reduce barriers for entities with limited staff.
- 4Technical assistance and best practices: The Secretary would provide technical help and develop/disseminate best practices for implementing the training and education activities.
- 5Funding authorization: The program is authorized to receive about $24.963 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, to be appropriated to carry out these sections.