# Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2023

This bill creates a federal funding program to bring mental health services directly into schools across the country. The federal government would provide grants of up to $2 million each to partnerships between school districts and mental health organizations to set up comprehensive mental health programs in schools. The goal is to help students deal with trauma, grief, suicidal thoughts, and violence through services provided right at school rather than requiring families to find outside providers.

The programs funded by this bill would focus on several key activities. Schools would train staff to recognize signs that students are struggling with trauma or mental health issues, implement positive behavior programs, and work with families to support students' overall wellbeing. The programs would also create ways for students to safely report violence or threats. Importantly, these services would be designed to be culturally appropriate and trauma-informed, meaning they'd account for the fact that many students have experienced difficult events that affect how they learn and behave. The bill emphasizes partnerships between schools and community mental health providers, so it's not just schools trying to do this alone—they'd work with professional mental health organizations, hospitals, and other community resources.

The bill would distribute $300 million per year from 2024 through 2027 to fund these programs, with grants spread across different regions and between urban and rural areas. Schools and mental health providers would need to track whether their programs actually help students and report results back to the federal government. The programs would last five years initially, with the possibility of renewal. This essentially means the federal government is investing in making mental health support a regular part of school life rather than something families have to seek out separately, particularly for students dealing with trauma or crisis situations.

Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2023

Napolitano, Grace F.

Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2023 This bill provides specific statutory authority for the Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education) State Educational Agency Grant Program that is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The program supports school-based mental health services, including screening, treatment, and outreach programs.