ADS for Mental Health Services Act

The Advancing Digital Support for Mental Health Services Act requires certain covered digital advertising platforms to submit annual reports to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). These platforms, defined as large social media or public-facing websites primarily offering user-generated content and deriving advertising revenue, must detail their public service advertisements (PSAs). The primary goal is to increase transparency regarding digital platforms' contributions to promoting mental and behavioral health resources. Each annual report must include the number and estimated dollar value of PSAs displayed, along with the percentage of total advertisements they represent. Platforms must also specify how many PSAs focus on local or regional mental and behavioral health care resources and those promoting free services. A public service advertisement is specifically defined as one served for free, promoting mental or behavioral health care resources, such as those addressing self-harm, substance abuse, or social isolation, and must be relevant and accessible to targeted audiences. Following the receipt of these platform reports, the FTC is mandated to compile and submit a publicly available summary report to Congress annually. This summary will provide an overview of the reported PSA data from across the industry. All requirements and obligations under this Act are subject to a sunset clause , terminating five years after its enactment.