PEER Mental Health Act of 2023

To amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, to award grants for peer mental health first aid, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Peer Education and Emergency Response for Mental Health Act of 2023 PEER Mental Health Act of 2023 2. Grants for peer mental health first aid Title V of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting after section 520J of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 290bb–41 520J–1. Grants for peer mental health first aid (a) In general The Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities— (1) to train teachers, other relevant school personnel (including education support professionals), students, and parents and caregivers of students— (A) to recognize symptoms of childhood and adolescent mental health conditions; (B) to refer teachers, school personnel, students, and their family members to appropriate mental health services if necessary; and (C) to recognize signs of immediate mental distress and, upon recognizing such signs apply mental health first aid tactics; and (2) to provide education to such teachers, personnel, students, parents, and caregivers regarding resources that are available in the community for individuals with a mental illness. (b) Relation to other mental health awareness training grants An eligible entity may receive grant funds under this section in addition to receiving amounts made available to such eligible entity pursuant to section 520J. (c) Allocation for schools in rural areas In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall award not less than 25 percent of the grants to eligible entities that are elementary schools and secondary schools in rural areas. (d) Application (1) In general To seek a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including a plan for the rigorous evaluation of activities that are carried out with funds received through the grant. (2) Streamlined process The Secretary shall streamline the process for applying for a grant under this section so as to keep such process from imposing an unreasonable barrier, especially for eligible entities with limited personnel available to prepare a grant application. (e) Technical assistance The Secretary shall provide technical assistance to eligible entities applying for or receiving grants under this section. (f) Definition In this section: (1) The terms elementary school local educational agency secondary school State educational agency (2) The term eligible entity (3) The term rural area (g) Authorization of appropriations To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $24,963,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 .

Summary: Peer Education and Emergency Response for Mental Health Act of 2023 or the PEER Mental Health Act of 2023 This bill establishes grants for school-based programs for training and education focused on childhood and adolescent mental health. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must award the grants to elementary or secondary schools or state or local educational agencies. Recipients must use the grants to provide training and educational resources about childhood and adolescent mental health conditions to (1) teachers and other school personnel, (2) students, and (3) parents and caregivers. HHS must allocate at least 25% of the grants to schools in rural areas.