Stopping the Mental Health Pandemic Act
Bill: S.165 | Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina (D-MN)
Policy area: Health

Summary:
Stopping the Mental Health Pandemic Act
This bill requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to award grants to states, tribal nations, local governments, behavioral health and primary care providers, and community organizations to support behavioral health treatment and services during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.

To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to 
  States, political subdivisions of States, Indian Tribes and Tribal 
     organizations, community-based entities, and primary care and 
  behavioral health organizations to address behavioral health needs 
 caused by the public health emergency declared with respect to COVID-
                                  19.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Stopping the Mental Health Pandemic 
Act''.

SEC. 2. GRANTS TO SUPPORT INCREASED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS DUE TO 
              COVID-19.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Assistant 
Secretary of Mental Health and Substance Use, shall award grants to 
States, political subdivisions of States, Indian Tribes and Tribal 
organizations, community-based entities, and primary care and 
behavioral health organizations to address behavioral health needs 
caused by the public health emergency declared pursuant to section 319 
of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d) with respect to 
COVID-19.
    (b) Use of Funds.--An entity that receives a grant under subsection 
(a) may use funds received through such grant to--
            (1) increase behavioral health treatment and prevention 
        capacity, including to--
                    (A) promote coordination among local entities;
                    (B) train the behavioral health workforce, relevant 
                stakeholders, and community members;
                    (C) upgrade technology to support effective 
                delivery of health care services through telehealth 
                modalities, including the purchase of telehealth 
                equipment;
                    (D) purchase medical supplies and equipment for 
                behavioral health treatment entities, providers, and 
                patients;
                    (E) address and support surge capacity for 
                behavioral health needs (such as through mobile units), 
                including the purchasing of supplies and equipment;
                    (F) promote collaboration between primary care and 
                mental health providers; and
                    (G) cover overhead costs, including rent and 
                utility costs; and
            (2) support or enhance behavioral health services, 
        including--
                    (A) emergency crisis intervention, including mobile 
                crisis units, 24/7 crisis call centers, and medically 
                staffed crisis stabilization programs;
                    (B) screening, assessment, diagnosis, and 
                treatment;
                    (C) mental health awareness trainings;
                    (D) evidence-based suicide prevention;
                    (E) evidence-based integrated care models;
                    (F) community recovery and peer supports;
                    (G) outreach to underserved and minority 
                communities; and
                    (H) support for front line health care workers.
    (c) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority to applicants that 
are--
            (1) culturally specific organizations, Tribal behavioral 
        health and substance use disorder providers, or organizations 
        that are intentional about serving populations where COVID-19 
        has had the most impact; or
            (2) proposing to serve areas with a high number of COVID-19 
        cases.
    (d) Evaluation.--An entity that receives a grant under this section 
shall prepare and submit an evaluation to the Secretary at such time, 
in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may 
reasonably require, including--
            (1) an evaluation of activities carried out with funds 
        received through the grant; and
            (2) a process and outcome evaluation.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this section, 
there is authorized to be appropriated $75,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2021 and 2022, to remain available until expended.
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