Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning Act

This legislation seeks to improve mental health and suicide prevention services at institutions of higher education by amending the Higher Education Act of 1965. It mandates that the Secretary of Education, in coordination with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), develop and disseminate one or more evidence-based model mental health and suicide prevention action plans within one year of enactment. These model plans are intended to guide colleges and universities in establishing their own comprehensive programs and must be updated at least every five years to reflect current best practices. Following the development of these models, the Secretary will provide technical assistance to institutions of higher education interested in implementing comprehensive mental health and suicide prevention plans. This assistance will consider existing state efforts and may involve collaboration with various stakeholders, including nonprofit organizations, community-based groups, and student organizations. The bill also requires regular reports to Congress on these activities, though it explicitly states that it does not create new legal requirements for institutions.