[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1704 Introduced in House (IH)]
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1704
To amend the Public Health Service Act to improve mental and behavioral
health services on college campuses.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 25, 2009
Ms. Schakowsky introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on
Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Public Health Service Act to improve mental and behavioral
health services on college campuses.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Mental Health on Campus Improvement
Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The 2007 National Survey of Counseling Center Directors
found that the average ratio of counselors to students on
campus is nearly 1 to 2,000 and is often far higher on large
campuses. The International Association of Counseling Services
accreditation standards recommend 1 counselor per 1,000 to
1,500 students.
(2) College counselors report that 8.5 percent of enrolled
students sought counseling in the past year, totaling an
estimated 1,600,000 students.
(3) Over 90 percent of counseling directors believe there
is an increase in the number of students coming to campus with
severe psychological problems. The majority of counseling
directors report concerns that the demand for services is
growing without an increase in resources.
(4) A 2008 American College Health Association survey
revealed that 43 percent of students at colleges and
universities report having felt so depressed it was difficult
to function, and one out of every 11 students seriously
considered suicide within the past year.
(5) Research conducted between 1989 and 2002 found that
students seen for anxiety disorders doubled, for depression
tripled, and for serious suicidal intention tripled.
(6) Many students who need help never receive it.
Counseling directors report that, of the students who committed
suicide on their campuses, only 22 percent were current or
former counseling center clients. Directors did not know the
previous psychiatric history of 60 percent of those students.
(7) A survey conducted by the University of Idaho Student
Counseling Center in 2000 found that 77 percent of students who
responded reported that they were more likely to stay in school
because of counseling and that their school performance would
have declined without counseling.
(8) A 6-year longitudinal study of college students found
that personal and emotional adjustment was an important factor
in retention and predicted attrition as well as, or better
than, academic adjustment (Gerdes & Mallinckrodt, 1994).
SEC. 3. IMPROVING MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES.
Title V of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting
after section 520E-2 (42 U.S.C. 290bb-36b) the following:
``SEC. 520E-3. GRANTS TO IMPROVE MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ON
COLLEGE CAMPUSES.
``(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section, with respect to
college and university settings, to--
``(1) increase access to mental and behavioral health
services;
``(2) foster and improve the prevention of mental and
behavioral health disorders, and the promotion of mental
health;
``(3) improve the identification and treatment for students
at risk;
``(4) improve collaboration and the development of
appropriate levels of mental and behavioral health care;
``(5) reduce the stigma for students with mental health
disorders and enhance their access to mental health services;
and
``(6) improve the efficacy of outreach efforts.
``(b) Grants.--The Secretary, acting through the Administrator and
in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall award
competitive grants to eligible entities to improve mental and
behavioral health services and outreach on college and university
campuses.
``(c) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
subsection (b), an entity shall--
``(1) be an institution of higher education (as defined in
section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001)); and
``(2) submit to the Secretary an application at such time,
in such manner, and containing such information as the
Secretary may require, including the information required under
subsection (d).
``(d) Application.--An application for a grant under this section
shall include--
``(1) a description of the population to be targeted by the
program carried out under the grant, the particular mental and
behavioral health needs of the students involved, and the
Federal, State, local, private, and institutional resources
available for meeting the needs of such students at the time
the application is submitted;
``(2) an outline of the objectives of the program carried
out under the grant;
``(3) a description of activities, services, and training
to be provided under the program, including planned outreach
strategies to reach students not currently seeking services;
``(4) a plan to seek input from community mental health
providers, when available, community groups, and other public
and private entities in carrying out the program;
``(5) a plan, when applicable, to meet the specific mental
and behavioral health needs of veterans attending institutions
of higher education;
``(6) a description of the methods to be used to evaluate
the outcomes and effectiveness of the program; and
``(7) an assurance that grant funds will be used to
supplement, and not supplant, any other Federal, State, or
local funds available to carry out activities of the type
carried out under the grant.
``(e) Special Considerations.--In awarding grants under this
section, the Secretary shall give special consideration to applications
that describe programs to be carried out under the grant that--
``(1) demonstrate the greatest need for new or additional
mental and behavioral health services, in part by providing
information on current ratios of students to mental and
behavioral health professionals;
``(2) propose effective approaches for initiating or
expanding campus services and supports using evidence-based
practices;
``(3) target traditionally underserved populations and
populations most at risk;
``(4) where possible, demonstrate an awareness of, and a
willingness to, coordinate with a community mental health
center or other mental health resource in the community, to
support screening and referral of students requiring intensive
services;
``(5) identify how the college or university will address
psychiatric emergencies, including how information will be
communicated with families or other appropriate parties; and
``(6) demonstrate the greatest potential for replication
and dissemination.
``(f) Use of Funds.--Amounts received under a grant under this
section may be used to--
``(1) provide mental and behavioral health services to
students, including prevention, promotion of mental health,
screening, early intervention, assessment, treatment,
management, and education services relating to the mental and
behavioral health of students;
``(2) provide outreach services to notify students about
the existence of mental and behavioral health services;
``(3) educate families, peers, faculty, staff, and
communities to increase awareness of mental health issues;
``(4) support student groups on campus that engage in
activities to educate students, reduce stigma surrounding
mental and behavioral disorders, and promote mental health
wellness;
``(5) employ appropriately trained staff;
``(6) expand mental health training through internship,
post-doctorate, and residency programs;
``(7) develop and support evidence-based and emerging best
practices, including a focus on culturally and linguistically
appropriate best practices; and
``(8) evaluate and disseminate best practices to other
colleges and universities.
``(g) Duration of Grants.--A grant under this section shall be
awarded for a period not to exceed 3 years.
``(h) Evaluation and Reporting.--
``(1) Evaluation.--Not later than 18 months after the date
on which a grant is received under this section, the eligible
entity involved shall submit to the Secretary the results of an
evaluation to be conducted by the entity concerning the
effectiveness of the activities carried out under the grant and
plans for the sustainability of such efforts.
``(2) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report concerning the
results of--
``(A) the evaluations conducted under paragraph
(1); and
``(B) an evaluation conducted by the Secretary to
analyze the effectiveness and efficacy of the
activities conducted with grants under this section.
``(i) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may provide technical
assistance to grantees in carrying out this section.
``(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
``SEC. 520E-4. MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH OUTREACH AND EDUCATION ON
COLLEGE CAMPUSES.
``(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to increase
access to, and reduce the stigma associated with, mental health
services so as to ensure that college students have the support
necessary to successfully complete their studies.
``(b) National Public Education Campaign.--The Secretary, acting
through the Administrator and in collaboration with the Director of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall convene an
interagency, public-private sector working group to plan, establish,
and begin coordinating and evaluating a targeted public education
campaign that is designed to focus on mental and behavioral health on
college campuses. Such campaign shall be designed to--
``(1) improve the general understanding of mental health
and mental health disorders;
``(2) encourage help-seeking behaviors relating to the
promotion of mental health, prevention of mental health
disorders, and treatment of such disorders;
``(3) make the connection between mental and behavioral
health and academic success; and
``(4) assist the general public in identifying the early
warning signs and reducing the stigma of mental illness.
``(c) Composition.--The working group under subsection (b) shall
include--
``(1) mental health consumers, including students and
family members;
``(2) representatives of colleges and universities;
``(3) representatives of national mental and behavioral
health and college associations;
``(4) representatives of college health promotion and
prevention organizations;
``(5) representatives of mental health providers, including
community mental health centers; and
``(6) representatives of private- and public-sector groups
with experience in the development of effective public health
education campaigns.
``(d) Plan.--The working group under subsection (b) shall develop a
plan that shall--
``(1) target promotional and educational efforts to the
college age population and individuals who are employed in
college and university settings, including the use of
roundtables;
``(2) develop and propose the implementation of research-
based public health messages and activities;
``(3) provide support for local efforts to reduce stigma by
using the National Mental Health Information Center as a
primary point of contact for information, publications, and
service program referrals; and
``(4) develop and propose the implementation of a social
marketing campaign that is targeted at the college population
and individuals who are employed in college and university
settings.
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this
section.''.
SEC. 4. INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP ON COLLEGE MENTAL HEALTH.
(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section, pursuant to
Executive Order 13263 (and the recommendations issued under section
6(b) of such Order), to provide for the establishment of a College
Campus Task Force under the Federal Executive Steering Committee on
Mental Health, to discuss mental and behavioral health concerns on
college and university campuses.
(b) Establishment.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services
(referred to in this section as the ``Secretary'') shall establish a
College Campus Task Force (referred to in this section as the ``Task
Force''), under the Federal Executive Steering Committee on Mental
Health, to discuss mental and behavioral health concerns on college and
university campuses.
(c) Membership.--The Task Force shall be composed of a
representative from each Federal agency (as appointed by the head of
the agency) that has jurisdiction over, or is affected by, mental
health and education policies and projects, including--
(1) the Department of Education;
(2) the Department of Health and Human Services;
(3) the Department of Veterans Affairs; and
(4) such other Federal agencies as the Administrator of the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and
the Secretary jointly determine to be appropriate.
(d) Duties.--The Task Force shall--
(1) serve as a centralized mechanism to coordinate a
national effort--
(A) to discuss and evaluate evidence and knowledge
on mental and behavioral health services available to,
and the prevalence of mental health illness among, the
college age population of the United States;
(B) to determine the range of effective, feasible,
and comprehensive actions to improve mental and
behavioral health on college and university campuses;
(C) to examine and better address the needs of the
college age population dealing with mental illness;
(D) to survey Federal agencies to determine which
policies are effective in encouraging, and how best to
facilitate outreach without duplicating, efforts
relating to mental and behavioral health promotion;
(E) to establish specific goals within and across
Federal agencies for mental health promotion, including
determinations of accountability for reaching those
goals;
(F) to develop a strategy for allocating
responsibilities and ensuring participation in mental
and behavioral health promotions, particularly in the
case of competing agency priorities;
(G) to coordinate plans to communicate research
results relating to mental and behavioral health
amongst the college age population to enable reporting
and outreach activities to produce more useful and
timely information;
(H) to provide a description of evidence-based best
practices, model programs, effective guidelines, and
other strategies for promoting mental and behavioral
health on college and university campuses;
(I) to make recommendations to improve Federal
efforts relating to mental and behavioral health
promotion on college campuses and to ensure Federal
efforts are consistent with available standards and
evidence and other programs in existence as of the date
of enactment of this Act; and
(J) to monitor Federal progress in meeting specific
mental and behavioral health promotion goals as they
relate to college and university settings;
(2) consult with national organizations with expertise in
mental and behavioral health, especially those organizations
working with the college age population; and
(3) consult with and seek input from mental health
professionals working on college and university campuses as
appropriate.
(e) Meetings.--
(1) In general.--The Task Force shall meet at least 3 times
each year.
(2) Annual conference.--The Secretary shall sponsor an
annual conference on mental and behavioral health in college
and university settings to enhance coordination, build
partnerships, and share best practices in mental and behavioral
health promotion, data collection, analysis, and services.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
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