Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act

Summary

Expands federal work to reduce mental health disparities for racial and ethnic minority groups by changing grant priorities, funding new research and outreach, broadening fellowship activities, and authorizing substantial new funding to NIH and NIMHD. It requires a major study on research gaps, directs HHS to run a culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach and education strategy with annual reporting, and increases authorized funding for several programs over FY2025–FY2031.

• Gives the HHS Secretary authority to prioritize behavioral health grants for providers serving high proportions of racial and ethnic minority groups.
• Requires an independent study (via National Academies or similar) on mental health research gaps affecting racial and ethnic minority groups, with recommendations to Congress.
• Expands allowable uses of Minority Fellowship funds to develop and disseminate best practices and core competencies addressing mental health disparities across multiple mental health professions.
• Directs HHS to create a culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach and education strategy with annual reporting and $20M/year authorized for FY2026–FY2031.
• Authorizes $150M/year (FY2026–FY2031) to NIH for community-engaged clinical research and youth mental health disparities work.
• Authorizes $750M/year (FY2026–FY2031) in additional funds for NIMHD to support minority health and health disparities work.
• Sets specific timelines for study contracting (within 9 months) and for outreach reporting (first report within 1 year, then annually for 5 years).
• Does not change existing Minority Fellowship appropriation authorization ($25M for FY2023–FY2027) but expands allowable fellowship activities.