Bill Overview
Title: Student Mental Health Rights Act
Description: This bill addresses mental health and substance use at institutions of higher education (IHEs). Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to conduct a study on mental health conditions and substance use conditions at IHEs. In addition, ED must issue guidance on IHEs' (1) compliance with federal law on mental health, (2) legal obligations to students with mental health conditions and students with substance use conditions, and (3) policies that may have a discriminatory impact on such students.
Sponsors: Rep. Porter, Katie [D-CA-45]
Target Audience
Population: Students enrolled in institutions of higher education
Estimated Size: 19000000
- The bill focuses on students at institutions of higher education (IHEs).
- There are millions of students enrolled in higher education institutions globally.
- Mental health issues are prevalent among college students, with significant percentages in various studies.
- The guidance proposed by the ED is aimed at improving the mental health support for students with mental health and substance use conditions.
Reasoning
- The bill targets students in higher education, which is a sizable and diverse group in terms of demographics and challenges faced.
- Focusing on students with mental health and substance use conditions, the policy will have a differentiated impact depending on current access to mental health resources and institutional responses.
- It's necessary to consider varying impacts depending on the location and support systems of different institutions.
- A budget over ten years supports sustained improvements in institutional policies and resources, potentially enhancing outcomes over time.
- Some students may not feel substantial change if their institutions already have robust mental health policies.
Simulated Interviews
student (California)
Age: 20 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's hard to balance work and study, and sometimes I feel overwhelmed.
- I think more mental health support would be really helpful.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
student (New York)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It feels like there's no time for anything other than coursework.
- I worry about my anxiety, but I'm not sure where to go for help.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
student (Texas)
Age: 21 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I have support from my friends but I know others aren't so lucky.
- More guidance can help both the students and faculty understand what we face.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
graduate student (Florida)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've seen a lot of peers struggling with mental health issues.
- This policy could provide essential backing for campus mental health initiatives.
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 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
student (Ohio)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I get anxious about performing well in sports and academics.
- If there is more support, I might handle pressure better.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
student (Illinois)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Balancing education with my responsibilities is tough.
- Any extra support would ease my stress levels.
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 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
first-year student (Pennsylvania)
Age: 18 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a huge change moving away from home.
- Guidance would help new students like me cope better.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
student (Washington)
Age: 21 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about how others perceive mental health issues.
- Better policies would mean a lot in reducing stigma.
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 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
student (Georgia)
Age: 20 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Managing work and study is challenging.
- Extra support could mean staying on track with my studies.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
student (Massachusetts)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Finding the right resources is daunting.
- If schools improve their support, it could really help students like me.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $30000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $35000000)
Year 2: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Year 3: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Year 5: $18000000 (Low: $13000000, High: $23000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Successful implementation depends on the integration of policies at state and institutional levels.
- The effectiveness of the guidelines issued by the Department of Education will require cooperation from higher education institutions.
- Potential challenges include the variation in resources and capabilities across institutions to comply with new guidance.