Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)
Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 3 Republican cosponsors · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2025 aims to improve the behavioral health of school staff and education professionals. It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to share best practices for suicide prevention and mental health resiliency. The bill creates a national initiative to reduce the stigma of seeking care for mental health and substance use disorders. It also provides grants for programs that offer mental health care, peer support, and training for educators. Additionally, the act requires reviews and reports to Congress on the effectiveness of these efforts and existing federal programs.
Yes· 3 of 18
- Scored +8
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
The bill provides grants for mental health care, telehealth, and referrals specifically for education professionals.
- Scored +5
Would people in middle age be better off under this?
Provides mental health support for the educator workforce, which largely consists of middle-aged adults.
- Scored +5
Would women be better off under this?
Education is a female-dominated profession; therefore, these mental health resources heavily benefit women.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Access to Mental Health Care: The bill allows grant funds to be used for providing mental health care, follow-up services by licensed professionals (including telehealth), or referrals for care. (Section 4, SEC. 764B(a)(3)(D))
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Support for High-Need Areas: Priority for grants and contracts will be given to entities in areas with a high percentage of schools receiving financial assistance under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. (Section 4, SEC. 764B(a)(4))
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Reduced Stigma and Increased Awareness: The bill establishes a national initiative to encourage school staff to seek support for mental health or substance use concerns and to address the stigma associated with these services. (Section 3(a))
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Improved Training: Grants may be awarded to support the inclusion of strategies to address substance use and improve resiliency within educator preparation and professional development programs. (Section 4, SEC. 764B(b))
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Prevention and Resiliency: The Secretary will identify and share best practices for preventing suicide and improving mental health and resiliency among school staff. (Section 2)
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for individuals or groups are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Provides mental health support for the educator workforce, which largely consists of middle-aged adults. Would women be better off under this? — Education is a female-dominated profession; therefore, these mental health resources heavily benefit women. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Prioritizes grants for schools in high-need areas receiving Title I assistance. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Priority for high-need Title I schools often benefits minority communities. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Priority for high-need Title I schools often benefits minority communities. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Provides support systems for teachers and school staff. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Explicitly allows grants to be awarded to Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Telehealth options and grants to rural educational agencies improve access in remote areas. Would people in cities be better off under this? — High concentration of Title I schools in urban areas will benefit from prioritized funding. Would children be better off under this? — Indirectly benefits children by improving the mental well-being and resiliency of their educators. Would students be better off under this? — Better mental health for teachers leads to a more stable learning environment for students.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill provides grants for mental health care, telehealth, and referrals specifically for education professionals. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Increases access to mental health and substance use disorder services for a specific workforce. Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths? — Establishes initiatives to encourage treatment for substance use disorders among school staff. Does this put more money into medical research? — Funds the dissemination of evidence-based best practices and reviews of program efficacy. Does this make the country readier for the next outbreak? — Includes a review of the effects of the COVID-19 emergency on educator mental health to learn lessons for future emergencies.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into public schools? — Provides grants to local and state educational agencies for staff mental health programs.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Expands federal role in coordinating mental health best practices for school staff.
- 9/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/25/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska
Angie CraigDemocrat · Minnesota
Debbie DingellDemocrat · Michigan
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Zachary NunnRepublican · Iowa
Paul TonkoDemocrat · New York