Bill Overview
Title: STANDUP Act of 2021
Description: 21 or the STANDUP Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), when awarding certain grants for priority mental-health needs, to give preference to state, tribal, and local educational agencies that plan to implement evidence-based suicide awareness and prevention training policies. HHS may also consider suicide rates in the applicable jurisdiction and other factors when awarding the grants. In addition, HHS must coordinate with the Department of Education and the Department of the Interior to provide educational agencies with best practices for these training policies.
Sponsors: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Target Audience
Population: Students and educational staff globally
Estimated Size: 55000000
- Suicide is a major public health issue, impacting individuals, families, and communities globally.
- The target population for suicide awareness and prevention includes young people in educational settings as these are often the focus of early intervention efforts.
- Educational agencies targeted by this bill encompass schools in the US, impacting students and staff involved in training programs.
- Suicide prevention training could indirectly impact families and friends of students by creating a more aware and supportive environment.
- Globally, suicide prevention efforts align with broader public health objectives, potentially influencing best practices in international contexts.
Reasoning
- Given the budget of the policy, the focus is primarily on educational settings, impacting students and faculty in schools and possibly extending to higher education institutions.
- The policy aims to enhance awareness and prevention through training, potentially improving mental health outcomes and reducing suicide rates in these communities.
- The Cantril wellbeing index provides a variable to measure subjective wellbeing over time, offering insights into the potential impacts of the policy.
- Specific attention to suicide rates and preference towards evidence-based programs indicates a targeted approach, likely affecting those in more at-risk regions or communities.
- Not all individuals in the initial policy phase will be impacted equally, therefore a mixture of high, medium, low, and no impact cases is necessary to illustrate the range of potential outcomes.
Simulated Interviews
High School Student (San Diego, CA)
Age: 16 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think having more discussions around mental health in school can be very helpful.
- Sometimes peers can spot things that adults miss, so being trained sounds good.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
University student (New York, NY)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Mandatory training sessions could significantly improve awareness on campus.
- Providing anonymous resources for help would make people feel safer.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
High School Teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We've needed something like this for a long time. Too many kids suffer in silence.
- It would be reassuring to know that all teachers are equipped to 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 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Middle School Principal (Rural Alabama)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Getting funding and training would be a big win for our school.
- These programs could foster a better school environment and community relationships.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
School Counselor (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 52 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Training is essential but only part of the solution; comprehensive resources are also needed.
- I'd want to ensure it's not just a one-time training but ongoing support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
College student (Boston, MA)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could make a real difference for students who don't know where to turn.
- I'd love to see real resources, not just lectures.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Superintendent (Austin, TX)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Awareness and training must translate into actionable outcomes for it to be worthwhile.
- Partnerships with mental health professionals will be key.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
High School Student (Detroit, MI)
Age: 17 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing that teachers are trained to help makes me feel safer.
- Mental health talks should be more frequent and open.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Retired Teacher (Seattle, WA)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Backing up these policies with sufficient resources is critical.
- Hopeful that educational change can influence wider societal attitudes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Elementary School Teacher (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Training can make a significant difference; kids sometimes open up to us more than their parents.
- We need continuous systems of support, not just initial training.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $45000000, High: $55000000)
Year 2: $52000000 (Low: $47000000, High: $57000000)
Year 3: $53000000 (Low: $48000000, High: $58000000)
Year 5: $55000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $60000000)
Year 10: $60000000 (Low: $55000000, High: $65000000)
Year 100: $100000000 (Low: $90000000, High: $110000000)
Key Considerations
- Mental health awareness and prevention programs are increasingly critical in education systems.
- Collaboration across various departments indicates broad administrative engagement and potential complexities.
- Investment in such programs may show cost savings over time through reduced suicide rates and improved societal health.