Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act of 2025

This bill would fund local efforts to boost mental wellness and resilience. It tells the Department of Health and Human Services to support community programs that prevent and heal mental, behavioral, and related challenges by giving grants to local networks of partners. There are two types of funding: planning grants (up to $250,000) to organize a local network and assess needs, and larger program grants (up to $500,000 per year for up to four years) to start or expand community programs . At least 20% of the money is set aside for rural areas.

Programs must use an evidence-based, public health approach that fits local culture and language. Activities can include finding local strengths and risks, building skills and tools to handle stress and trauma, strengthening social connections, improving local conditions (like the built environment), and offering nonclinical group prevention and recovery options for youth and adults . Each funded “resilience coordinating network” must include at least five kinds of community partners, such as schools, youth groups, faith groups, senior services, environmental groups, emergency responders, businesses, public safety, health and social service professionals, and residents with lived experience. HHS will offer technical help, a report on results is due by December 31, 2030, and the bill authorizes $36 million for fiscal years 2025–2029 (with up to 5% for technical assistance).

Key points

• Who is affected: Local nonprofits and community groups working together with schools, youth and family programs, faith groups, seniors, businesses, public safety, health providers, and community members.
• What changes: New federal grants for planning and for running/expanding community mental wellness programs; 20% reserved for rural areas; technical assistance provided by HHS .
• When: Funding authorized for 2025–2029; report due by December 31, 2030.