LEGISLATIVE FOCUSES
Peer to Peer Mental Health Support Act
What this bill does
Funds training for students, adult supervisors, and others in mental health peer support.
Why it matters
- Adolescents increasingly turn to peers for support in mental health crises.
- Peer support networks protect against stress, depression, anxiety, and suicidality.
- Programs mitigate provider shortages and reduce social stigma.
- Creates workforce development pipelines for future mental health professionals.
H.R.5353 / S.906
Establishes a pilot grant program for states, local governments, and tribal organizations to implement student-led, professionally-supervised peer support programs.
Introduced by Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA-8) and Senator John Curtis (R-UT).
Examples
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Michigan’s P2P Depression Awareness Program.
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Connecticut’s Students Supporting Students initiative.
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California’s Youth Peer-to-Peer Support Program.
College Students Continuation of Mental Health
Care Act
What this bill does
Funds training for students, adult supervisors, and others in mental health peer support.
Why it matters
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Continuity of care is essential for effective mental health treatment and building trust.
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Maintains therapeutic relationships across state lines during breaks, internships, or travel.
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Telehealth effectively bridges geographic gaps between students and established care.
H.R.5357
Ensures college students can continue mental health treatment across state lines by allowing providers to use telehealth without obtaining separate licenses in each state.
Examples
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Prevents the loss of established care when students cross state lines for essential travel.
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Mitigates existing provider shortages that make finding new local care difficult and costly.
Introduced by Congressman
Mike Flood (R-NE-1).
Improving Mental Health Access for Students Act
What this bill does
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Requires the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on student ID cards.
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Mandates information for the Crisis Text Line and campus programs.
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Ensures resources appear on websites if physical IDs are not issued.
H.R. 3624/S. 1924
Why it matters
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Continuity of care is essential for effective mental health treatment and building trust.
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Maintains therapeutic relationships across state lines during breaks, internships, or travel.
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Telehealth effectively bridges geographic gaps between students and established care.
This legislation ensures students have immediate access to life-saving support by requiring colleges to display crisis resources on ID cards and official websites.
Examples
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Prevents the loss of established care when students cross state lines for essential travel.
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Mitigates existing provider shortages that make finding new local care difficult and costly.
Introduced by Congressman Lou Correa (D-CA-46) and Senator John Kennedy
(R-LA).