Federal bill H.R. 3549 will establish a pilot grant program that provides participating schools with an allotted amount of grant money for mental health service integration in elementary and secondary schools.

This bill, if passed, will be available to schools across the United States that apply for the grant. The participating schools will receive the funds for four years and then will submit a study regarding the outcomes of the mental health services. This will provide evidence on the effectiveness of mental health service integration on students’ academic, cognitive, social-emotional, and identity development; mental and behavioral health; and physical health. The overall goal of this bill is to incorporate mental health techniques and professionals into elementary and secondary schools for better awareness around mental health and positive mental health outcomes for students and faculty. 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that one in five children and adolescents experience a mental health problem during their school years. Some of the mental health issues include stress, anxiety, bullying, family problems, depression, learning disability, alcohol and substance abuse.

This is important because mental health is part of one's overall wellbeing. Establishing programs, like those laid out in H.R. 3549, could help these individuals be more successful in school and in life. 

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