# The TEACH Act of 2022: What It Does

The TEACH Act is designed to help teachers and school staff deal with stress and burnout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill recognizes that educators faced significantly higher levels of stress during the pandemic compared to other workers—more than three-quarters of teachers reported frequent job-related stress, and over a quarter showed signs of depression. The bill aims to address this crisis by funding research and creating wellness programs in schools.

The legislation has two main parts. First, it requires the federal government to conduct a comprehensive study on how COVID-19 affected the mental health of teachers and school staff. This study will examine what barriers prevent educators from accessing mental health services and identify practices that help people bounce back from high-stress situations. The government has one year to complete this research and report back to Congress with recommendations for best practices. Second, the bill provides $200 million in grants over five years to states and local school districts to create or improve wellness programs for education professionals. These programs can include stress management coaching, fitness classes, nutrition education, mental health support, and quiet spaces where teachers can decompress during the school day.

Schools receiving these grants must form committees that include teachers, administrators, and other staff to design programs that fit their specific needs. The bill sets aside 25 percent of funding specifically for rural and remote schools that often struggle to attract and retain teachers. The goal is straightforward: by supporting the mental health and wellbeing of educators, the bill hopes to reduce teacher burnout and help schools keep experienced educators in the classroom rather than losing them to retirement or career changes.

TEACH Act of 2022

Kirkpatrick, Ann

Teacher and Educator Access to Crucial Health and Wellness Act of 2022 or the TEACH Act of 2022 This bill directs the Department of Education to award grants to state educational agencies and, through them, subgrants to local educational agencies to implement or improve health and wellness programs for education professionals. It also requires the National Institutes of Health to study the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of education professionals.