H.R. 1448: Peer Education and Emergency Response for Mental Health Act of 2025 (119th Congress) Bill Summary

The "Peer Education and Emergency Response for Mental Health Act of 2025" aims to enhance mental health awareness and support in schools. Specifically, the bill proposes the following key provisions:

Grants for Training

The bill authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide grants to various entities, including:

Elementary schools
Secondary schools
Local educational agencies
State educational agencies

These funds will be used to train:

Teachers and school personnel
Students
Parents and caregivers

The training focuses on:

Recognizing symptoms of mental health conditions in children and adolescents
Referring students to appropriate mental health services
Identifying immediate signs of mental distress and applying mental health first aid techniques
Providing information about community mental health resources

Support for Rural Schools

The bill ensures that at least 25% of the grant money is allocated to schools located in rural areas, helping to address the unique challenges these schools may face in accessing mental health resources.

Application Process

Eligible entities can apply for grants through a streamlined process designed to minimize barriers, especially for those with limited administrative staff. The Secretary will require a plan for evaluating the use of funds as part of the application.

Technical Assistance

The bill requires the Secretary to provide technical support to entities applying for or receiving grants. This includes sharing best practices for training and education efforts aimed at improving mental health awareness.

Funding Authorization

The legislation authorizes the appropriation of approximately $24.96 million for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030 to support these initiatives.

Definitions

The bill also includes specific definitions for terms like "elementary school," "secondary school," "rural area," and "eligible entity" to clarify which entities can receive grants and how rural areas are defined for this purpose.