The MINDS Act

About the MINDS Act

The MINDS Act was first introduced in the House of Representatives in 2021 and reintroduced in 2023. If enacted, the bill would direct the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of State to integrate mental health and psychosocial support activities into U.S. foreign assistance programs, with a particular focus on children and other vulnerable populations.

At the time of its introduction, the bill was publicly supported by a group of diverse U.S.-based organizations advocating for effective U.S. investment in development and humanitarian programs. Drawing on this example of group stakeholder support, the Alliance was formed in 2023, beginning with outreach to those organizations who publicly supported the MINDS Act. This was later expanded to any U.S.-based organization with an interest in global mental health programming and support. 

The intent is for partners to join together to take collective action to improve global mental health. While activities now extend beyond the MINDS Act, support for the Act remains an important activity of the Alliance. This year, through briefings and documents, the U.S. Global Mental Health Alliance is working to engage Congress to raise awareness about the importance of global mental health and garner bipartisan support for the MINDS Act. Updates on our efforts will be posted below.