H.R. 1448 — PEER Mental Health Act of 2025

This section establishes the short title of the Act as the “Peer Education and Emergency Response for Mental Health Act of 2025” or the “PEER Mental Health Act of 2025.”

This section establishes a new grant program for peer mental health first aid under title V of the Public Health Service Act and authorizes $24,963,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030. The Secretary must award grants to eligible entities—elementary schools, local educational agencies, secondary schools, and State educational agencies—to train teachers, school personnel, students, parents, and caregivers to recognize symptoms of childhood and adolescent mental health conditions, refer students to appropriate mental health services, and respond to signs of immediate mental distress using mental health first aid tactics. The grants also may support education on community resources available for individuals with mental illness. As background, mental health first aid is a training approach that teaches nonclinicians how to identify and respond to mental health crises and connect individuals to care. The section allows an eligible entity to receive funds under this program in addition to amounts received under section 520J. The section requires the Secretary to reserve not less than 25 percent of available funds each fiscal year for elementary and secondary schools in rural areas, or applicants on behalf of such schools. If the Secretary cannot obligate the full set-aside because of insufficient qualified applications, the Secretary must reallocate the remaining funds to other eligible entities. The section also requires grant applications to include a rigorous evaluation plan and directs the Secretary to streamline the application process to avoid creating an unreasonable barrier, especially for entities with limited personnel. The Secretary must provide technical assistance, including best practices for training and education.