Mental Health and Substance Abuse Support During COVID-19 Act

To amend title V of the Public Health Service Act to provide for the establishment of a COVID–19 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Response Grant Program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Support During COVID–19 Act 2. COVID–19 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Response Grant Program Subpart 3 of part B of title V of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 290bb–31 520N. COVID–19 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Response Grant Program (a) Establishment The Secretary shall, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, establish and carry out a program to award grants to States (as defined in section 524) to assist States in addressing the increased costs to States due to an increase in mental health challenges and substance abuse in such States as a result of, or co-occurring with, the COVID–19 pandemic, to be known as the COVID–19 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Response Grant Program Program (b) Use of Funds A State may use funds received through the grant to support one or more of the following activities, which may be conducted in coordination or partnership with local governments or community organizations: (1) Enhanced public education to improve community awareness, with respect to mental health or substance abuse, including for children and youth. (2) Identification of, and outreach to, individuals at risk of experiencing a mental health and substance abuse challenge, and referral of such individuals to appropriate treatment, recover, or other resources in the community. (3) Direct services to adults and children to prevent or treat a mental health or substance abuse problem. (4) Community and peer support programs, including programs for veterans and underserved communities. (5) Development of partnerships with entities such as local healthcare providers, substance abuse treatment organizations, schools, child welfare agencies, social services organizations, mental health treatment organizations, police departments, businesses, religious institutions, in order to coordinate and expand resources available to addicted or at-risk individuals and their family members. (6) Mental health and substance abuse training for relevant healthcare workforce and community members. (7) Upgrading technology to support mental health and substance abuse services through telehealth. (8) Follow-up services and outpatient support. (9) Support programs for front line COVID–19 health care workers. (10) 24/7 crisis call centers. (11) Grants to local governmental entities within such State to offset the costs referred to in subsection (a). (c) Regulations The Secretary shall, not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this section, issue a rule to establish, carry out, and administer the Program. (d) Funding (1) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2022. (2) Allocation Of the amounts made available under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year, each State shall be allocated an amount based on the percentage constituted by the ratio of an amount equal to the population of the State over an amount equal to the total population of the States, as indicated by the data collected by the Bureau of the Census for 2010. .

Summary: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Support During COVID-19 Act This bill requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to award grants to states and territories for outreach, treatment, and other activities to address increased mental health and substance abuse issues associated with the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.