Beyer, Kelly Introduce Legislation toFacilitate Peer-To-Peer Mental Health Support

Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA) and Mike Kelly (R-PA) today announced the introduction of the Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Support Act to help facilitate effective student-led mental health crisis response.

"Too many young Americans are struggling with their mental health and suffer in silence. We can do more in Congress to support teenage mental health, including by facilitating student-led peer-to-peer education initiatives which are already showing promise across the country. I thank Congressman Kelly for making this potentially lifesaving effort bipartisan, as we continue working to reduce suicides and improve mental health in this country," said Rep. Don Beyer, co-chair of the bipartisan Mental Health Caucus.

"As more Americans recognize the importance of addressing mental health, it's incredibly important that we meet children where they are. Peer-to-peer mental health support programs in schools will take a significant step toward curbing the growing mental health crisis in America," said Rep. Kelly."Mental health isn't a partisan issue. I want to thank Rep. Beyer for partnering on this important piece of legislation."

"Mental Health America (MHA) applauds Representatives Beyer and Kelly for introducing this critical legislation to provide schools with resources to start or maintain youth peer support programs. Youth peer support is an effective practice that helps young people to empower their peers to resolve distress and prevent behavioral crises," said Caren Howard, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy at Mental Health America. "This bill will incentivize schools to offer youth peer support training amidst growing anxiety, depression, and suicidality in children and adolescents as part of an overall continuum of services."

"Active Minds applauds Representatives Beyer and Kelly for their bipartisan leadership in recognizing what young people have known all along - that peer mental health support saves lives," said Anika Rahman, Director of Policy at Active Minds. "This legislation represents exactly the kind of federal investment we need: funding that empowers students to be part of the solution. When young people are trained and supported to help their peers navigate mental health challenges, we see real results - reduced stigma, increased help-seeking, and stronger school communities. The Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Support Act acknowledges that students are uniquely positioned to reach their peers who might otherwise suffer in silence, and we're grateful to see Congress prioritize bipartisan student-led approaches to addressing the youth mental health crisis."

"As a 16-year-old high school student, I've seen how often young people turn to each other before turning to an adult when they're struggling but how so many students don't know what to do when approached. Studies show that 67% of young people tell a friend they are feeling suicidal before telling anyone else. This bill matters because it helps us identify challenges earlier, reduce stigma, and create safe spaces where asking for help is normal-not shameful. By investing in peer-to-peer programs, we are empowering young people to take care of one another and ensuring no student has to suffer in silence. We at SEAT are so grateful for Representatives Beyer and Kelly for prioritizing youth mental health in a time when it's needed the most," said Ayaan Moledina, Federal Policy Director, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT.

The Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Support Act would support the creation of peer-to-peer mental health programs in middle and high schools, where students are trained by mental health professionals to be peer support to their classmates and help their peers recognize signs of mental health crisis and develop help-seeking behaviors, like contacting the 9-8-8 lifeline. This legislation is modeled off several successful state and local educational district programs, in order to grow these successful initiatives to more schools.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals aged 10-24 years account for 15% of all suicides with suicide being the second leading cause of death for this age group. In 2022, 20% of high school students seriously considered attempting suicide, nearly 16% made a suicide plan, and 9% attempted suicide, according to the CDC. The Brookings Institute reported that students at risk of suicide are more likely to turn to a peer than an adult or authority figure for help, and research reports from Mental Health America and Action Alliance highlight the demand for peer-to-peer support.

Text of the Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Support Act is available here.