MINDS Act

Mental Health in International Development and Humanitarian Settings Act or the MINDS Act

This bill authorizes and requires certain actions by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to integrate mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) activities across U.S. development and humanitarian assistance programs.

The bill authorizes USAID to designate an MHPSS coordinator. The coordinator's duties include (1) guiding, overseeing, and directing MHPSS programming and integration across U.S. development and humanitarian assistance programs; and (2) promoting best practices, coordination, and reporting in MHPSS across such programs. Focus populations for the coordinator include adult caretakers, children separated from a family unit, and displaced populations.

In addition, the bill establishes a working group comprised of representatives from relevant USAID bureaus, the Department of State, and other federal agencies. The purpose of the working group is to ensure continuity and integration of MHPSS across U.S. development and humanitarian assistance programs.

The provisions of the bill expire five years after enactment.

The MINDS Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 1570, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress that aims to address mental health issues in the country. The bill focuses on improving access to mental health services, increasing funding for mental health research, and promoting mental health awareness and education.

One of the key provisions of the MINDS Act is the expansion of mental health services for individuals in underserved communities. This includes increasing funding for community mental health centers, expanding telehealth services for mental health care, and providing grants to support mental health programs in schools and workplaces.

Additionally, the bill allocates funding for mental health research, with a focus on studying the causes and treatments of mental illnesses. This includes funding for research on new medications, therapies, and interventions for mental health disorders. The MINDS Act also aims to promote mental health awareness and education by implementing programs to reduce stigma surrounding mental illness, providing training for mental health professionals, and increasing public awareness campaigns about mental health issues. Overall, the MINDS Act seeks to improve mental health outcomes for individuals across the country by increasing access to services, funding research, and promoting awareness and education about mental health.