Peer to Peer Mental Health Support Act

The Peer to Peer Mental Health Support Act mandates the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, to establish a pilot program. This program aims to support evidence-based mental health peer support activities for students enrolled in secondary schools. Competitive awards will be granted to eligible entities, including states, political subdivisions, territories, and Indian Tribes, to implement these crucial services. Funds from this program can be used to operate peer support activities, provide training to students and adult supervisors for early identification and response to mental health challenges, and promote resiliency. A key requirement is that all mental health peer support activities must be overseen by a school-based mental health professional . The Assistant Secretary is also required to conduct an evaluation measuring the program's efficacy, participation rates, impact on student outcomes, and effectiveness in connecting students to professional services, with a report submitted to Congress. The program includes provisions for technical assistance and is set to terminate on September 30, 2029.