WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), announced her co-sponsorship of the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act, the Mental Health Services for Students Act, and the Educational Notification and Disclosure of Actions risking Loss of Life (END ALL) Hazing Act, bills aimed to provide support and resources for mental health programs to assist our nation’s students.
“Too often – and especially during this pandemic – our nation’s students face mental health challenges without access to the appropriate treatment or resources,” said Senator Rosen. “Congress must take action in order to address this public health issue. These important pieces of legislation will provide much-needed support and funding to develop mental health services geared toward students’ needs, train teachers to recognize mental health crises, and work to combat hazing on college campuses.”
BACKGROUND: The Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act, legislation introduced by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), would create a grant fund program to help add additional mental health service providers at schools.
The Mental Health Services for Students Act, legislation introduced by Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), would provide funding to build partnerships between schools and community-based organizations that can help students get mental health services at school, as well as train teachers, families, and community members to recognize when a student is experiencing a mental health crisis, and make sure they get the help they need.
The Educational Notification and Disclosure of Actions risking Loss of Life (END ALL) Hazing Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Bob Casey (D-PA), would require colleges and universities to post on their websites incidents of hazing that took place on campus or within a student organization. Providing this information would improve transparency and assist students in making the best choices for their futures.
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