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119-s-4468119th CongressWALLET

Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would boost federal support for the mental health and suicide prevention of education professionals and school staff. It would set up national outreach, grant programs, training, and reviews to increase resiliency and reduce stigma.

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  • Educators and school staff: Grants and programs would fund peer support, training to spot suicide risk, and referrals or telehealth care with licensed mental health professionals.
  • High-need schools and districts: Grant awards would give priority to areas with large shares of Title I schools to steer resources to lower-income communities.
  • Teacher preparation and professional development: Colleges, state and local agencies, and other institutions could get grants to add evidence-based mental health and resiliency content to educator preparation and continuing education.

*If enacted, this bill would authorize $10 million per year for the national awareness initiative and $35 million per year for grant programs for FY2026–FY2028, about $45 million per year and $135 million total, increasing federal spending over that period.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

GAO report on educator mental health

If enacted, the Comptroller General would report to Congress within four years on how federal mental health and substance use disorder grant programs address the needs of education professionals and school staff. The report would analyze available data and look for duplicate goals across programs. The report itself would not allocate money but would inform future Congress or agency decisions.

Grants for school staff mental health

If enacted, HHS would award competitive grants to State and local education agencies, colleges, consortia, Tribes, and qualifying nonprofits. Grants would fund awareness, suicide prevention, peer support, counseling, follow-up care, referrals, and telehealth for teachers and school staff. Grants would run for three years and require annual reports. Congress is asked to authorize $35 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2028, with priority for areas that serve many Title I (high-poverty) schools.

National awareness and best practices

If enacted, HHS would run a national education and awareness initiative to encourage school staff to seek help, reduce stigma, and teach how to identify suicide risk. HHS would report to Congress on the initiative within two years. HHS would also review educator mental health, identify evidence-based best practices, and share those practices with schools and training programs. The awareness initiative is authorized at $10 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2028, and the review must be completed and sent to Congress within two years after enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

VA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]

    ME • I

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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