119th (2025–2027)
H.R. 5353
The Peer to Peer Mental Health Support Act directs the federal government to launch a pilot program that funds states, tribes, and local governments to implement peer-support mental health activities in high schools. These programs would train students to help identify and respond to mental health and substance use challenges among their peers, with all activities overseen by school-based mental health professionals and protected under student privacy laws. Eligible organizations can use funding for training students and staff, early identification of mental health issues, and connecting students to professional mental health services. The federal government will evaluate the program's success by measuring participation rates, assessing whether it improves student mental health outcomes, and comparing its effectiveness to other evidence-based strategies. The pilot program is set to run through September 30, 2029, after which Congress would need to reauthorize it to continue.