Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2026

Overview

• Bill: S. 4468, the Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2026
• Session: 119th Congress (introduced April 30, 2026)
• Principal sponsors: Tom Kaine (KAINE), Jeff Merkley, Angus King, Tim Kaine, Ron Wyden (co-sponsors)
• Purpose: Address behavioral health, mental health, and resiliency among education professionals and other school staff; expand dissemination of best practices, education/awareness, and funding for programs to promote mental health and reduce stigma; improve coordination across federal agencies and track outcomes.

Main objectives and intent

• Improve mental health and well-being of educators and school staff.
• Prevent suicide and address risk factors for mental health and substance use disorders among education professionals.
• Reduce stigma associated with seeking mental health care.
• Build and disseminate evidence-based or evidence-informed practices for prevention, resiliency, and care.

Key provisions and changes

1. Dissemination of Best Practices (Sec. 2)

   • Within 2 years of enactment, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, must identify and disseminate best practices for:
     • Preventing suicide and improving mental health/resiliency among education professionals and school staff.
     • Training such personnel in strategies to support and maintain their own mental health.

2. Education and Awareness Initiative (Sec. 3)

   • Establish a national evidence-based/evidence-informed initiative to:
     • Encourage education professionals and school staff to seek mental health and substance use services.
     • Help staff identify risk factors for suicide and mental health conditions and respond appropriately.
     • Address stigma around seeking mental health and SUD services.
   • Report to Congress within 2 years on activities, outcomes, and metrics.
   • Authorized funding: $10 million per fiscal year for 2026–2028.

3. Programs to Promote Mental Health among the Education Workforce (Sec. 4)

   • Creates new Programs to Promote Mental Health (within the Public Health Service Act) (SEC. 764B).
   • Grant/contract authority to eligible entities (State Education Agencies, Local Education Agencies, Institutions of Higher Education, or consortia) to:
     • Establish or enhance evidence-based programs for mental health and resiliency.
     • Eligible uses include increasing awareness of risk factors and signs of suicide, creating or expanding prevention programs, establishing peer-support programs, and providing mental health care or referrals (including telehealth) by licensed professionals.
   • Priority given to entities in areas with high poverty or significant Title I Part A funding.
   • Training Grants: Can fund inclusion of mental health and SUD strategies in educator preparation, training, and professional development.
   • Grant term: 3 years.
   • Authorized appropriations: $35 million per fiscal year for 2026–2028.

4. Evaluation and Review of Education Workforce Mental Health (Sec. 5)

   • Requires a Secretary-led review within 2 years of enactment to evaluate:
     • Mental health outcomes among education professionals and staff.
     • Effects and effectiveness of authorized programs.
     • Barriers to accessing mental health care.
     • Impacts of COVID-19 on mental health and lessons for future public health emergencies.
     • Efficacy of training programs to promote resiliency.
   • The Secretary must report findings and recommendations to Congress.

5. Government Accountability Office (GAO) Reporting (Sec. 6)

   • By not later than 4 years after enactment, GAO must report on:
     • How federal substance use disorder and mental health grant programs address the mental health and SUD conditions of education professionals and school staff.
     • Analysis of available evidence and data.
     • Whether there are duplicative goals/objectives among grant programs.

6. Definitions and Administration

   • Defines eligible entities consistent with parts of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Higher Education Act.
   • Outlines reporting requirements for grant recipients (annual reports).

Eligible recipients and funding

• Grants/contracts to State and Local Educational Agencies, State educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and consortia.
• Focus areas include program development, awareness and training, peer support, and direct or referral-based mental health services (including telehealth).
• Funding scales:
  • Awareness/education initiatives: $10 million/year (FY 2026–2028).
  • Mental health programs: $35 million/year (FY 2026–2028).
• Grant terms: 3 years per award.

Timeline and reporting

• Implementation targets:
  • Best practices dissemination within 2 years of enactment.
  • Education/awareness initiative reporting to Congress within 2 years.
  • Program funding active FY 2026–2028.
  • Program and workforce review by Secretary within 2 years; GAO review within 4 years.
• Annual reporting requirements for grant recipients.

Potential impact

• Increased systemic emphasis on educator mental health and resiliency.
• Expanded access to mental health resources for educators and school staff, including telehealth options.
• Greater transparency about program effectiveness and potential duplication across federal grant programs.
• Potential improvement in school climate, reduced stigma around seeking help, and better identification and support for at-risk staff.

Stakeholders likely affected

• Education professionals and school staff (teachers, administrators, support staff).
• State and local educational agencies and school districts.
• Institutions of higher education and educator preparation programs.
• Mental health professionals and organizations involved with school-based services.
• Federal agencies (HHS, ED, GAO) coordinating implementation and oversight.