Press Releases

Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA) and John Curtis (R-UT) today introduced the Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Support Act to facilitate student-led mental health efforts. The Senate companion legislation, led by Senators John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), passed out of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee as part of the reauthorization of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act.

“Too many young Americans are struggling with their mental health and suffer in silence. We can do more in Congress to support teenage mental health, including by facilitating student-led peer-to-peer education initiatives which are already showing promise across the country,” said Rep. Don Beyer. “I thank Congressman Curtis and Senators Hickenlooper and Murkowski for their leadership on this important bill and continue working on this important effort with colleagues in both parties.”

“As a nation, we are still dramatically underestimating the impact of poor mental health funding and access. Through Project AWARE, Utah has seen significant benefits, enhancing our children's ability to recognize and address mental health issues,” said Rep. John Curtis. “This bill's expansion to include peer-to-peer programs will further bridge critical gaps in teen mental health care, help destigmatize seeking help and benefit our communities.”

"Mental Health America (MHA) applauds Representatives Beyer and Curtis for introducing this critical legislation to provide schools with resources to start or maintain youth peer support programs. Youth peer support is an effective practice that allows young people to empower their peers to resolve distress and prevent behavioral crises,” said Caren Howard, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy at Mental Health America. “This bill will incentivize schools to offer youth peer support training amidst growing anxiety, depression, and suicidality in children and adolescents as part of an overall continuum of services.”

The Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Support Act would allow peer-to-peer mental health programs to be eligible for federal funding under Project AWARE to help school districts facilitate these programs in middle and high schools.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals aged 10–24 years account for 15% of all suicides with suicide being the second leading cause of death for this age group. In 2021, 22% of high school students seriously considered attempting suicide while almost 60% of female students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness and nearly 25% made a suicide plan.

The Brookings Institute reported that students at risk of suicide are more likely to turn to a peer than an adult or authority figure for help, and Mental Health America recently released a report highlighting demand for peer-to-peer support.

Text of the Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Support Act is available here.