Bill Overview
Title: Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Education to encourage institutions of higher education to develop and implement evidence-based comprehensive campus mental health and suicide prevention plans.
Sponsors: Rep. Wild, Susan [D-PA-7]
Target Audience
Population: Students in higher education institutions
Estimated Size: 20000000
- The bill targets institutions of higher education, which include colleges and universities.
- The student population in higher education institutions is directly impacted as they will benefit from enhanced mental health resources.
- According to the latest statistics, there are approximately 235 million students enrolled in higher education globally.
- The bill might not directly impact primary and secondary education students, focusing instead on post-secondary institutions.
- Faculty and staff at higher education institutions may also experience indirect benefits from enhanced mental health programs, as they contribute to campus planning and student wellbeing.
Reasoning
- The bill specifically targets higher education, benefiting enrolled students who number approximately 20 million in the US.
- The primary impact is expected on mental health and wellbeing among students, with indirect effects on faculty and staff through improved campus environments.
- Budget limitations mean that not all institutions may fully implement comprehensive plans initially, so effects might vary by campus size and existing resources.
Simulated Interviews
College Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 20 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.5 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think having more accessible mental health resources will help students like me cope better with stress, especially during exam periods.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Graduate Student (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe that this initiative could significantly assist grad students who often lack the same support structures as undergraduates.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Associate Professor (Austin, TX)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While the focus is on students, an improvement in their mental health can create a more conducive learning environment, easing faculty stress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Community College Student (Columbus, OH)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Enhanced mental health services would be invaluable, especially since part-time students like me often juggle multiple responsibilities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Freshman College Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I find this initiative encouraging as it shows a recognition of mental health challenges that students face.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Senior College Student (New York, NY)
Age: 23 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Mental health resources are always scarce, so this policy might really help improve accessibility and awareness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
University Counselor (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could provide much-needed funding and structure to university counseling services, potentially enhancing our outreach.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Campus Security Officer (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved mental health services could significantly reduce the stress levels on campus, impacting all staff positively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
University Administrator (Miami, FL)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could ease administrative challenges by providing a structured approach to implementing mental health programs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Sophomore College Student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 21 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having dedicated mental health services can help students like me feel more comfortable and supported.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 2: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 3: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 5: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 10: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 100: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Key Considerations
- The need for initial high investment to establish comprehensive mental health programs.
- The vast and diverse target population will require different strategies across institutions.
- The long-term benefits on student well-being and institutional performance must be weighed against short-term costs.
- Coordination with existing mental health and educational frameworks will be essential.