On Feb. 21, Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vermont) reintroduced the Peer Education and Emergency Response (PEER) Mental Health Act. This legislation would support peer mental health training for teachers, school personnel, parents, caregivers, and students.
With an alarming 76% of public schools reporting concerns about depression, anxiety, and trauma in students since the start of the Covid pandemic, it is clear that the U.S. is in the midst of a youth mental health crisis, Balint stated. “As attacks on education and health care systems continue nationally, it is important that we double down on efforts to support youth mental health,” Balint continued.
The PEER Mental Health Act allows for students, teachers, and others to participate in training that enables them to assist students in crisis by giving them the tools they need to respond safely.
“Mental health first aid is one tool in the toolbox to combat this crisis among teens and kids. I’m proud that the PEER Mental Health Act will help ensure that students are trained and ready to assist their peers in a mental health crisis,” Balint said. “When young people are trained to help one another, it means healthier and safer communities.”
Mental health first aid training is an evidence-based investment in our communities. Just like how students are taught how to respond to a fire or conduct CPR, everyone should know how to respond to a peer experiencing a mental health emergency. Mental health first aid training teaches participants the basic signs of both long-term mental illness and immediate mental health emergencies.
This legislation will award grants to train teachers, school personnel, parents/caregivers and students in mental health first aid to:
Recognize symptoms of mental health disorders in children in adolescents
Refer participants to necessary mental health treatment
Identify signs of immediate mental distress (such as a panic attack) and, upon recognizing such signs apply mental health first aid tactics
Educate participants on the resources that are available in the community for individuals with a mental illness.
“We can solve America’s mental health crisis, but only if we work together. This legislation brings us closer to that goal by training students, teachers, and parents to identify the signs of a mental health disorder and empower them with tools to effectively support one another,” said Congresswoman Andrea Salinas, co-chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus. “While we must continue to hire more school counselors and trained professionals, it’s also important that staff and students are equipped to recognize and respond to mental health distress in their peers. Doing so will save lives and promote happier, healthier futures.”
“Mental Health First Aid provides people from all walks of life the training necessary to identify mental health needs in their colleagues, friends and loved ones — and to help them find the care they need. This is particularly important for people who live in rural areas, where needs can go unidentified and access to care may be more limited,” said Chuck Ingoglia, president and CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. “We applaud Rep. Balint for introducing the PEER Mental Health Act, which will empower parents, caregivers, teachers and students to recognize mental health needs early, before a crisis develops, and help ensure no young person struggles alone.”
“Too many of our children are experiencing mental health challenges. Our teachers and school personnel are on the front lines of this crisis, and they need more training to help our children,” said Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “Rep. Balint’s PEER Mental Health Act will help ensure that teachers and school personnel receive the mental health training they need to assist our children. NAMI is proud to support the PEER Mental Health Act.”
The bill is endorsed by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the National Council on Mental Wellbeing, the National Education Association (NEA), and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT).
Rep. Balint is a member of the Congressional Rural Health Care Caucus; the Mental Health Caucus; the Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery Caucus; and the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force.
