COVID–19 Mental Health Research Act

Bill: 117-hr-1716
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]
Introduced: 2021-03-09
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health

Child health

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Health care coverage and access

Health personnel

Health programs administration and funding

Health promotion and preventive care

Health technology, devices, supplies

Infectious and parasitic diseases

Medical research

Mental health

Research administration and funding

Worker safety and health
Latest action: action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-03-09
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>COVID-19 Mental Health Research Act</strong></p> <p>This bill requires&nbsp;the National Institute of&nbsp;Mental Health to support mental health research activities related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). The institute must coordinate these activities with other components of the National Institutes of Health.</p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1716 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 9, 2021 Mr. Tonko (for himself, Mr. Katko , Mr. Cárdenas , Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois , Ms. Dean , Mr. Fitzpatrick , Mrs. Hayes , Mr. Lowenthal , Mr. Levin of California , Mr. Meeks , Ms. Meng , Mr. Nadler , Mrs. Napolitano , Mr. Payne , Mr. Suozzi , Ms. Strickland , and Mrs. Watson Coleman ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, to conduct or support research on the mental health consequences of SARS–CoV–2 or COVID–19, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the COVID–19 Mental Health Research Act . 2. Research on the mental health impact of COVID– 19 (a) In general The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary ), acting through the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, shall conduct or support research on the mental health consequences of SARS–CoV–2 or COVID–19. (b) Use of funds Research under subsection (a) may include— (1) research on the mental health impact of SARS–CoV–2 or COVID–19 on health care providers, including— (A) traumatic stress; (B) psychological distress; and (C) psychiatric disorders; and (2) research on the impact of SARS–CoV–2 or COVID–19 stressors on mental health over time; (3) research to strengthen the mental health response to SARS–CoV–2 or COVID–19, including adapting to and maintaining or providing additional services for new or increasing mental health needs; (4) research on the reach, efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of digital mental health interventions; (5) research on the effectiveness of strategies for implementation and delivery of evidence-based mental health interventions and services for underserved populations; (6) research on suicide prevention; and (7) research on the impact of SARS–CoV–2 or COVID–19 on the mental health of children and adolescents. (c) Research coordination The Secretary shall coordinate activities under this section with similar activities conducted by national research institutes and centers of the National Institutes of Health to the extent that such institutes and centers have responsibilities that are related to the mental health consequences of SARS–CoV–2 or COVID–19. (d) Authorization of appropriations To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, to remain available until expended.