PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 9, 2023
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 foreign assistance programs. The bill authorizes USAID to appoint an MHPSS coordinator. The coordinator's duties include (1) guiding, overseeing, and directing MHPSS programming and integration across U.S. foreign assistance programming; and (2) promoting best practices, coordination, and reporting in MHPSS across U.S. development and humanitarian assistance 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.
People & committees
Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA] · D–PA
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: May 27, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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