Campus Mental Health Planning Act

Full Title:
Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning Act

Summary#

This bill adds a new section to the Higher Education Act encouraging colleges and universities to develop and use evidence-based comprehensive campus mental health and suicide prevention plans. The Department of Education is to carry out these efforts in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services (through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use). The bill says the plans should align with approaches recommended by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center and with several existing federal programs and authorities listed in the bill. The Secretary of Education must report to the House Committee on Education and Workforce and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions once within one year of enactment and again three years after enactment. The text says this section does not create new legal requirements for schools or give the Secretary new regulatory power.

What it means for you#

  • Students and campus staff: The bill encourages schools to plan for mental health and suicide prevention using evidence-based approaches. It does not require any specific actions by schools.
  • Colleges and universities: The Department of Education may promote planning, coordination with HHS, and partnerships with outside experts, but the bill does not impose new statutory duties or regulatory requirements.
  • Communities and nonprofits: The bill allows the Department to work with nonprofit and community-based organizations when encouraging campus planning.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on new funding or specific costs in the text provided. The bill text does not authorize new funds and focuses on encouragement, coordination, and reporting.

Proponents' View#

The bill’s stated purpose is to promote comprehensive, evidence-based campus mental health and suicide prevention plans and to coordinate federal and expert resources to support those efforts.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information on opponents' views in the provided text.