Sec. 3. Improving mental and behavioral health on college campuses
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Title V of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting after section 520E–2 ( 42 U.S.C. 290bb–36b ) the following: It is the purpose of this section, with respect to college and university settings, to— increase access to mental and behavioral health services; foster and improve the prevention of mental and behavioral health disorders, and the promotion of mental health; improve the identification and treatment for students at risk; improve collaboration and the development of appropriate levels of mental and behavioral health care; reduce the stigma for students with mental health disorders and enhance their access to mental health services; and improve the efficacy of outreach efforts.
The Secretary, acting through the Administrator and in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall award competitive grants to eligible entities to improve mental and behavioral health services and outreach on college and university campuses. To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (b), an entity shall— be an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 )); and submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including the information required under subsection (d).
An application for a grant under this section shall include— a description of the population to be targeted by the program carried out under the grant, the particular mental and behavioral health needs of the students involved; a description of the Federal, State, local, private, and institutional resources available for meeting the needs of such students at the time the application is submitted; an outline of the objectives of the program carried out under the grant; a description of activities, services, and training to be provided under the program, including planned outreach strategies to reach students not currently seeking services; a plan to seek input from community mental health providers, when available, community groups, and other public and private entities in carrying out the program; a plan, when applicable, to meet the specific mental and behavioral health needs of veterans attending institutions of higher education; a description of the methods to be used to evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of the program; and an assurance that grant funds will be used to supplement, and not supplant, any other Federal, State, or local funds available to carry out activities of the type carried out under the grant.
In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give special consideration to applications that describe programs to be carried out under the grant that— demonstrate the greatest need for new or additional mental and behavioral health services, in part by providing information on current ratios of students to mental and behavioral health professionals; propose effective approaches for initiating or expanding campus services and supports using evidence-based practices; target traditionally underserved populations and populations most at risk; where possible, demonstrate an awareness of, and a willingness to, coordinate with a community mental health center or other mental health resource in the community, to support screening and referral of students requiring intensive services; identify how the college or university will address psychiatric emergencies, including how information will be communicated with families or other appropriate parties; and demonstrate the greatest potential for replication and dissemination.
Amounts received under a grant under this section may be used to— provide mental and behavioral health services to students, including prevention, promotion of mental health, voluntary screening, early intervention, voluntary assessment, treatment, management, and education services relating to the mental and behavioral health of students; provide outreach services to notify students about the existence of mental and behavioral health services; educate students, families, faculty, staff, and communities to increase awareness of mental health issues; support student groups on campus that engage in activities to educate students, including activities to reduce stigma surrounding mental and behavioral disorders, and promote mental health wellness; employ appropriately trained staff; provide training to students, faculty, and staff to respond effectively to students with mental and behavioral health issues; expand mental health training through internship, post-doctorate, and residency programs; develop and support evidence-based and emerging best practices, including a focus on culturally and linguistically appropriate best practices; and evaluate and disseminate best practices to other colleges and universities.
A grant under this section shall be awarded for a period not to exceed 3 years. Not later than 18 months after the date on which a grant is received under this section, the eligible entity involved shall submit to the Secretary the results of an evaluation to be conducted by the entity concerning the effectiveness of the activities carried out under the grant and plans for the sustainability of such efforts. Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report concerning the results of— the evaluations conducted under paragraph (1); and an evaluation conducted by the Secretary to analyze the effectiveness and efficacy of the activities conducted with grants under this section.
The Secretary may provide technical assistance to grantees in carrying out this section. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section. It is the purpose of this section to increase access to, and reduce the stigma associated with, mental health services so as to ensure that college students have the support necessary to successfully complete their studies. The Secretary, acting through the Administrator and in collaboration with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall convene an interagency, public-private sector working group to plan, establish, and begin coordinating and evaluating a targeted public education campaign that is designed to focus on mental and behavioral health on college campuses.
Such campaign shall be designed to— improve the general understanding of mental health and mental health disorders; encourage help-seeking behaviors relating to the promotion of mental health, prevention of mental health disorders, and treatment of such disorders; make the connection between mental and behavioral health and academic success; and assist the general public in identifying the early warning signs and reducing the stigma of mental illness. The working group under subsection
(b)shall include— mental health consumers, including students and family members; representatives of colleges and universities; representatives of national mental and behavioral health and college associations; representatives of college health promotion and prevention organizations; representatives of mental health providers, including community mental health centers; and representatives of private- and public-sector groups with experience in the development of effective public health education campaigns. The working group under subsection
(b)shall develop a plan that shall— target promotional and educational efforts to the college age population and individuals who are employed in college and university settings, including the use of roundtables; develop and propose the implementation of research-based public health messages and activities; provide support for local efforts to reduce stigma by using the National Mental Health Information Center as a primary point of contact for information, publications, and service program referrals; and develop and propose the implementation of a social marketing campaign that is targeted at the college population and individuals who are employed in college and university settings. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section. .
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- 42 USC 290bb–36b
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