Mental Health Career Promotion Act

Mental health career programs for students

This bill would create a grant program to promote careers in mental and behavioral health. Grants would fund programs for students in grades 9–12 and students at public junior or community colleges. Eligible partnerships would include an LEA or a State education agency and a public junior or community college. Partnerships must also include a community behavioral health provider or another community partner the Secretary finds appropriate. Funded activities would include classroom talks, internships, externships, shadowing, mentorships, and experiential learning. Activities would have to be developmentally, linguistically, and culturally appropriate. Each grant would last five years and could be renewed. The Secretary would ensure geographic diversity and could give technical help to high-need schools and colleges. Recipients would report yearly and the Secretary would report to Congress within one year and annually after. No more than 10 percent of grant funds would pay for data and performance work. The bill would authorize $50 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.